SPORTS FIELD CONSTRUCTION

Photo courtesy of SCG Fields , LLC

By Mary Helen Sprecher

Maybe you have a greater demand for fields thanks to the growth of sports like lacrosse , flag football or even cricket . Perhaps the powers that be have decided to upgrade the playing surface . Maybe some changes such as drainage or irrigation are needed , and you want to make sure they are done correctly . No matter the reason , the upshot is that you need a contractor — and not just any contractor , but one who understands and specializes in sports field construction .

After all , you understand what goes into keeping the field performing at its best , so it ’ s only natural to expect the same kind of knowledge from the professional who will be building or renovating the field .

Because sports field construction is a highly specialized area , any contractor chosen should be familiar with current products and construction techniques , as well as with the type of surface to be installed and with the standards promulgated by various governing bodies . While the athletes and spectators may see the final product and the playing surface , the construction of the base and drainage beneath the surface may be just as important to the overall system .

In most cases , public projects are bid out , begin with a request for proposal ( RFP ) or provide a proposal . By crafting the RFP , it is possible to help narrow the field in order to pre-qualify or qualify the sports field contractor . ( Note : The intent is not to restrict the number of bidders , but to restrict the number of bidders to only those who are experienced in constructing quality sports field projects and who have the proper equipment , financial stability , insurance and capacity to bond a project .)

Some key pre-qualification documents include the General Services Administration ( GSA ) Form 527 – Contractor ’ s Qualifications and Financial Information or the AIA ’ s form A305 Contractor ’ s Qualification Statement . Both provide the ability to learn more about prospective bidders , to identify previous projects similar to the planned project and to examine the qualifications of the individuals who would be involved in the project if the company were chosen .

Another means of finding a sports-field-specific contractor is to contact the American Sports Builders Association ( ASBA ). As the trade association for sports facility builders , designers and suppliers of materials

18 SportsField Management | December 2024 sportsfieldmanagementonline . com