Southwest Baptist University News
Release
Contact:
Charlotte Marsch, Director of Marketing and Communications
(417)
328-1803 / cmarsch@sbuniv.edu
New football turf at SBU will reduce
maintenance costs, injuries
BOLIVAR, Mo. — Southwest Baptist University
broke ground Friday, May 3, for the new Enviroturf synthetic turf that will replace the grass
football field at SBU’s Plaster Stadium.
The total Turf and Track
project is expected to cost about $1.5 million: $1.15 million for site
preparation and synthetic turf installation on the football field and track;
$200,000 for renovations to the press box; $120,000 for storage units under the
bleachers; and $30,000 for contingencies.
Two contractors will be
working on replacing the turf and track surfaces. Byrne and Jones Construction
in St. Louis is contracted for engineering and site preparation, which includes
dirt removal and drainage system installation before adding rock, chat and
sand. Enviroturf crews will then install the turf.
The synthetic turf will
significantly reduce maintenance costs by eliminating the need for grass seed,
fertilizer and water, as well as the time involved with maintaining a natural
grass field. A refreshing machine is required to be run periodically to keep the
turf in good playing condition. The turf also has been shown to reduce injuries
by about one-third.
The new track surface will
allow SBU to host track and field meets, which the University has not been able
to do for more than a decade.
With construction expected to
begin Monday, May 13, the surface will be completed in time for the fall 2013
football season.
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Southwest
Baptist University is a leader among private universities in truly integrating
Christ-centered academic pursuits with comprehensive professional programs at
an affordable price. At SBU, the faculty and staff create a caring, academic
community to prepare students to be servant leaders in a global society. For
more information, visit www.SBUniv.edu.
