By Paula Roberts
Ground work for Lincoln Academy’s new artificial turf field began on June 5. (Paula Roberts photo) |
Work quietly began on Lincoln Academy’s new artificial turf field June 5. The 80,000 square foot field is being constructed where the baseball field was formerly located. The field is expected to be finished by mid-August, just in time for the fall soccer and field hockey seasons.
An anonymous donor gave $850,000 to Lincoln Academy to complete the project. Matt Goetting, from Lincoln Academy’s Development office, said the school has tentatively scheduled a field dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony for Saturday, Sept. 26, during Homecoming.
The field is being named after an individual, and a sign bearing the name will be unveiled at Homecoming according to Goetting.
FieldTurf won the bid for the installation of the artificial turf. They will be installing an environmentally friendly infill called Nike Grind.
“Nike Grind is basically the soles of shoes that are re-purposed,” said Eric Hughes, director of sales at FieldTurf. Hughes said the material is made up of unused defective soles or scrap from the Nike shoe company. “It is very similar to recycled tires, but it is more of a virgin rubber because it is not recycled.”
“One of the things that attracted Lincoln Academy (to FieldTurf) was the material. It is one of the reasons the school went that route. Some of the chemicals and compounds in tires are not present in Nike Grind,” Hughes said.
The turf will resemble a natural/traditional field. “It is a long tile turf, kind of like a shag carpet,” Hughes said. “FieldTurf replicates the same playing condition as a natural grass field. It looks, feels, and plays like a natural grass field. It does not break down,” Hughes said.
“FieldTurf is an industry leading artificial turf provider. They are the most trusted brand in the industry,” Hughes said. FieldTurf is best known in New England for installing artificial turf at Gillette Stadium, the home of the New England Patriots professional football team.
Hughes believes FieldTurf was selected by Lincoln Academy because of their “safety record and reputation. It provides a safer and more consistent surface. That and the all weather aspect.”
Two independent studies have shown the FieldTurf reduces injuries. A three year study of college football showed players competing on FieldTurf artificial turf had 74 percent fewer muscle tears, 40 percent lower ACL trauma, and 31 percent fewer ligament tears. A five year high school football study showed 55 percent fewer neural injuries and 47 percent fewer cranial and cervical injuries.
The first step in the project is to remove all organic material from the existing field, including grass, loam, and fill. A crew from Harry C. Crooker & Sons was busy this week preparing the site. Part of the work involves extending the field by about 30 feet, toward the railroad tracks.
After the surface is prepared, drainage tile will be laid out, followed by a layer of compacted crushed rock. Fifteen foot wide sections of artificial turf will then be laid on top of the crushed rock; then sewn together. The infill, 400,000 pounds of a mixture of sand and Nike Grind, will then be applied on top of it. The infill will be worked through the turf using a drop spreader.
“Lincoln Academy has limited space. I think it is cool they are putting it where it will be a focal point and show case for the school,” Hughes said
Hughes expects the prep work to be finished in mid to late July. “It takes about a month to install (the artificial turf). We are looking for completion by mid-August. It looks like they are making really good progress,” Hughes said.
FieldTurf’s Regional Director of Operations is Lincoln Academy 1988 graduate Luke Houghton, who played on the Eagles’ 1987 state championship soccer team. “When I took the job with FieldTurf, I always wanted to do Lincoln Academy,” Houghton said.
“It will be a great resource for our student athletes and all of our students,” Goetting said. “It will be a great community resource. It will open up opportunities to run camps and clinics, and will allow Lincoln Academy to host some state wide tournaments that require a synthetic field.”
“The weather piece will be huge. The weather can take its toll on the fields,” Goetting said.
“This will improve the athletic facilities for many sports. Lincoln Academy is facilities poor. It will impact nine teams, who will be able to play on the field immediately,” athletic director KJ Anastasio said. Those teams include four soccer teams, two field hockey teams and two lacrosse teams.
“This will allow us to play on a field that is appropriate size. It allows us to bring boys lacrosse back on campus,” Anastasio said. Boys lacrosse currently plays at GSB School.
“It will allow us to get on fields sooner (in the spring),” Anastasio said of both sports teams and physical education classes.
Anastasio said the life expectancy of the turf is 12 to 15 years.
Anastasio acknowledged that the artificial turf field “is less than ideal for the baseball team” which was cut into by the dorm project. For the past two years the baseball team has played home games in Waldoboro. “There is a campaign going on now to get baseball back on campus. We are hoping the turf field will springboard the rest of the athletic facilities.”
Anastasio explained plans do not include building track around the field because “there is not enough room for a track.”
The hill by the math wing of the school will be transformed into a three tier spectator area. There will be room on the ground level, behind a fence, to set up lawn chairs. Behind that and elevated five feet will be an area for bleachers. Above that and next to the building will be the third tier.
“Those three spots will hold all our fans,” Anastasio said.
