Article code: 51-104
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PanStadia International Quarterly Report: Volume 5 No 1, March 1998.


[TURF PROTECTION]


TIME AND TIDE...


Events of very diverse natures can be
staged in rapid succession on an
exquisite playing surface.



The Ohio State University stop on the Rolling Stones' "Bridges to Babylon" World Tour was scheduled to end at midnight on Saturday, September 27 1997. The concert pitch would be in its typical post concert condition after having 10,000 fans on it with another 50,000 in the stands contributing to the mounds of trash and confetti. Under normal circumstances, there would not have been another event on a pitch like this for days or even weeks afterwards.

However, this was not just any ordinary weekend. The Columbus Crew of U.S. Major League Soccer would have their most important game of the season at 1pm the next afternoon, September 28. The outcome of the game would decide their fate for the playoffs. They had turned down all offers to move the game or even to delay the starting time. They wanted to stay with their routine - and 1pm it was going to be!

How could two such incompatible events take place on the hallowed grass turf of The Ohio State University Stadium and the field remain in playing shape for the University's football team to continue its quest for the Big 10 Championship - a possible trip to the Rose Bowl would be their reward. The grass field would provide its own answers.

The logistics of such a chain of events was monumental to say the least. The answer was in the co-ordination of the work force and the type of turf protection system used. Hundreds of "volunteers" had to be brought in to help move the chairs from the pitch, bag and remove the mountains on trash and get the turf protection system off the field so that the grounds crew chould begin their 'game day' preparations. (I say volunteers only in a generic sense since all of them received a ticket to the concert for "donating" their time). The job was done. The field was ready to play the next day.

The answer for Ohio State University was the same in 1997 as it was for nine professional football stadia, six college stadia, five professional soccer stadia and 3 baseball stadia in the United States. They all wanted to protect their grass fields and finding the best in turf protection was the most important factor in the formula for success.

This example is new to the United States, but it is very common in other parts of the world where multi-event grass stadia have existed from the beginning of organised sports. The turf protection system used by these stadia, ones that desired to provide maximum protection, needed to possess some unique qualities. It had to provide room for the grass to grow and breathe, while providing a strong and safe surface. The word was getting out and good news travels fast in the stadium manager network.

However, before looking at the answer, let us take a closer look at the Stones Tour stops and the U-2 Tour stops in the U.S. during 1997. An analysis revealed that the move to protect grass turf at the highest levels is not a sudden move nor is it one that was driven by a singular focal point. The reasons are varied, but the desired results are the same;

u    The American love affair with the synthetic turf of the 70's and 80's is rapidly coming to an end. Major colleges and professional stadia are changing to grass at a very rapid rate and this has provided more first class grass fields. Most of these stadia did not have to protect their previous synthetic turfs as they now must protect their new grass fields.

u    The emergence of the Prescription Athletic Turf system has created a type of field that is very versatile, but this is a field (with its very sophisticated drainage systems) that grounds keepers do not want to resod after an event. The old days of resodding just before or even during a sports season are over.

u    Major League Soccer is now in its third season. Stadia like Arrowhead in Kansas City, Giants in New Jersey, the Cotton Bowl in Dallas and Soldier Field in Chicago have made the transition from being a football-only facility to a football and soccer facility. This means the grass must be ready for play from March to December. This is quite a change.

u    There is strong competition among the stadia. International soccer matches, special college games and other grass field events are looking to make the best deal possible for their events. Having a premium grass field is necessary if you are going to compete.

A perfect example of this situation is the Orange Bowl in Miami. The Orange Bowl game is no longer played in its namesake, the Orange Bowl, but is now played in Pro Players Stadium for a number of reasons. One of those important reasons for moving the game is the fact that the Pro Player turf is always protected by the world's finest turf protection system.

As was mentioned earlier, all of the stadia that desire to protect their turf at the highest levels have discovered one common answer... Terraplas. It has all of the qualities that meet the expectations of the turf managers and the operations managers. Those two professions do not always agree on how and when things should be done; however, when it comes to turf protection, they now agree.


Michael Beane is CEO of Terraplas USA Rentals, LLC. He also serves as President of the Olympvs Group Inc., a marketing and event management company.

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Terraplas USA rental clients 1995-97

NFL PRO STADIA    COLLEGE STADIA

Ericcson Stadium, Charlotte    Ohio State, Columbus
Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, Washington    Liberty Bowl, Memphis
Soldier Field, Chicago    Cotton Bowl, Dallas
Pro-Players Stadium, Miami    Northwestern, Chicago
Jacksonville Stadium, Jacksonville    U. of Oklahoma, Norman
Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles    U. of New Mexico, Albuquerque
Giants Stadium, E.Rutherford    U. of Tennessee, Knoxville
Foxboro Stadium, Foxboro    Northwestern, Chicago
Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City



PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL STADIA

Pro Players Stadium, Miami
Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
Driller Stadium, Tulsa
Shea Stadium, New York City
Camden Yards, Baltimore

SPECIAL EVENTS    MAJOR LEAGUE SOCCER

Edge Commercial, San Francisco    Arrowhead Stadium, KansasCity
MTV, Austin    Cotton Bowl, Dallas
Olympics, Atlanta,    Foxboro Stadium, Foxboro
Oprah Winfrey, Chicago    Giants Stadium , E. Rutherford
May in Memphis, Memphis    Ohio State, Columbus
PGA, Palm Beach
Western Open, Chicago
World Music Theater, Chicago