Southeast proceeds with $1 million project to replace grass on rec fields with artificial turf

Southeast Missouri State University has begun replacing its grass recreational fields with nearly 163,000 square feet of synthetic turf to provide a new, year-round sporting experience for students.

The work near Sprigg and Bertling streets is scheduled to be completed by early August at a cost of more than $1 million, said Mike Buck, director of the school's recreation services.

Buck said Tuesday that recreation services is footing the bill out of its fund balance.

"There will be no additional cost to students," he said. The fund surplus accrued over the years from unspent revenue, including money from student fees.

"We have been discussing this for two or three years," he said. "It is pretty exciting."

Randy Martin and John King of Byrne and Jones Construction remove a grader after a final drag on an intramural field before laying synthetic turf Tuesday at Southeast Missouri State University.Glenn Landberg

The Sprigg Street field, south of the university's intercollegiate athletics softball complex, will provide 87,288 square feet of turf. The Bertling Street field, west of the softball complex, will have a 75,576-square-foot playing surface.

School officials said the fields will be used for intramurals, club sports and academic classes, and be rented out for community activities.

Shaw Sports Turf is installing the turf, which will be tough enough to accommodate sports activities such as soccer, baseball, softball, flag football, ultimate Frisbee and even cricket.

Buck said cricket is a new club sport, which just started the past spring semester. It is popular with international students.

"Synthetic turf enables us to schedule more events throughout the day, play longer seasons and have minimal cancellations due to inclement weather." Buck said.

Randy Martin of Byrne and Jones Construction does a final drag on an intramural field before laying synthetic turf Tuesday at Southeast Missouri State University.Glenn Landberg

The turf will be installed over a foundation of dirt and rock, he said.

Unlike natural grass, which requires more maintenance, synthetic turf is designed for year-round usage.

The grass fields were used from September to early November and again from mid-March to mid-May, he said. During the winter, no activities were allowed on the grass fields to allow the grass to "recuperate," he explained.

The turf will allow the lighted fields to be used throughout the academic year, including the winter months. The new fields also will drain better, allowing them to be used even in the rain, Buck said.

Recreation services associate director Eric Redinger said, "We won't have to worry about wear and tear and can encourage our students to play whenever they want."

Buck said the fields are heavily used. More than 5,000 students use the two fields over the course of an academic year.

The turf will incorporate out-of-bounds lines for softball, and the bases will be inlaid. Buck said lines will be painted on the fields for other sports as needed.

Recreation staff envision the fields will be used frequently for recreational softball and baseball games. The turf will be brown in the infield and green in the outfield.

Eliminating dirt infields will help prevent players from slipping during wet weather and suffering injuries, Buck said. Students no longer will have to cope with a "muddy, mushy infield," Buck said.

The turf will eliminate maintenance work such as mowing and seeding.

"It will be a savings," Buck said, adding the Bermuda grass often had to be mowed at least once a week during the growing season.

Facilities management officials said they don't know what the cost savings will be in terms of maintenance.

Maintenance of synthetic turf will require less labor. Buck said the university will have to "groom" the turf periodically by fluffing the artificial blades so they don't flatten.

The rubber-based turf will have to be replaced in 12 to 14 years, Buck said.

Southeast also will continue to use a third recreational field that has natural grass for various recreational activities, he said, adding his department does not have enough surplus funds to install synthetic turf on that field.

Buck said the turf will provide a "great recruitment and retention tool for our university."

He added, "Our club sports teams and participants are increasing each year. This project provides space for those teams to practice and compete."

The university will be one of "only a handful of schools our size and in this region" to have synthetic turf recreational fields, Buck said.

mbliss@semissourian.com

(573) 388-3641

Pertinent address:

Sprigg and Bertling streets, Cape Girardeau, Mo.