With the start of the high school football season just over two weeks away, the fully expect to be playing on brand new field turf.
"If everything goes according to plan and there's no rain, it should be done in 14 days," District 113 Director of Facilities Paul Mocogni said on Wednesday.
The field turf renovation project at Deerfield's Adams Field began in May and is expected to be completed with a few days to spare before opening night. Weather delays early in the process hindered the timing of the project, but also helped ensure that the new surface was being properly installed.
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"The concern is primarily with the base," Mocogni said. "The weather that came through actually did us a favor because we have a 100% guaranteed solid base now. Everything is settled the way it's supposed to settle. The drainage system is in place. So as nerve racking as it's been, it did us a favor by adding to the stability of the job."
The total cost of the project is estimated at $1.2 million. While it's certainly going to look like a million dollar field, it's what the eye can't see that cost the most.
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"I think two-thirds of that cost is underneath the ground in the sub-grade," Mocogni said. "Because we're in a flood plane, we had to go a little bit deeper and there's a little bit of detention underneath. So the water will run off the field and then there is a check valve in the main sewer that lets it seep through slowly into the creek so it does not flood the creek."
Once the full field is laid down, they will sow on any additional lines and logos that are needed and then cover the entire surface with two inches of sand and rubber infill which adds to the stability of the field. Field Turf and Team Reil are the two parties responsible for installation of the new surface, and both have ensured that the field will provide perfect playing conditions.
"Team Reil is the contractor that did the sub-base and field, and they are the consumate professionals. Good enough is not good enough for them and they've really worked hard," Mocogni said. "Field Turf was adamant about the quality of the sub-base. In fact they were here monitoring things pretty much the whole time Team Reil was doing it. They've been here for two or three weeks making sure everything is exactly the way they want it."
Once the turf is fully installed, it will allow for much more use, with much less hassle.
"There is still a certain amount of maintenance," Mocogni said. "But the beauty of it is, even if it's raining, they can be out here 24/7. Now PE classes can come out here, where as before, if it was a game day or a rainy day, we would have to line the field and prep it and PE couldn't come out here. Now it doesn't matter. Anybody can come out here any time."
To take a tour of the field as the turf is being laid, click on the video link above.
