FIELD CONSTRUCTION ask questions about the responsiveness of the contractor to questions , their ability to deal with problems , and anything else of importance .
Another way of finding an appropriate professional is by checking the website of the American Sports Builders Association ( www . sportsbuilders . org ), the professional organization for designers , contractors and suppliers for the sports facility construction industry . The website includes a lookup feature for builders , design professionals and suppliers , as well as individuals who have become certified through ASBA ’ s voluntary certification program , and who hold the designations of Certified Field Builder , Certified Track Builder or Certified Tennis Court Builder .
ASBA also publishes its book , Sports Fields : A Construction and Maintenance Manual , which contains user-friendly but in-depth information that leads the reader through the decision-making process , as well as the design , construction and maintenance of sports fields . This book is also available through the ASBA website .
In all cases , said Schedler , an informed owner is best — particularly one that keeps open the lines of communication and takes time to understand the options that are available on the market .
“ Some of the owners I ’ ve helped recently have had very good questions regarding vendors and their materials and systems , as well as how sport-specific those materials were ,” said Schedler . “ If someone is putting in a baseball or softball field , for example , and they have questions about which vendor or system best mimics clay or dirt , I know they ’ ve been reading . If someone has been gathering a lot of information , it shows .” SFM
Mary Helen Sprecher wrote this article on behalf of the American Sports Builders Association ( ASBA ).
THE BEST STEP TO ENSURE A SUCCESSFUL ATHLETIC FIELD
The first step when considering renovations on your athletic field is to consult with an expert in athletic facility construction . Who are these experts ? Certified Field Builders ( CFB ), as certified by the American Sports Builders Association ( ASBA ) are the highest qualified individuals in athletic field construction . CFBs can help you design , build and then maintain your field at a pristine level .
ASBA is a national organization of 400 companies recognized as a centralized source of technical information about natural and synthetic fields , running tracks and tennis courts . ASBA works to raise professional standards and to ensure owners receive the highest quality services through a professional certification program , education initiatives , construction guidelines publications , and awards .
Why is a CFB important when renovating or constructing your facility ? By having passed a rigorous comprehensive exam on field construction and maintenance , Certified Field Builders have demonstrated the highest level of expertise . CFBs must be well versed in project planning , project administration , site work , sub-grade , base work and maintenance . They must have at least three years of experience and at least 20 projects built , before even taking a three-hour comprehensive exam .
A Certified Field Builder can help develop a realistic budget , layout , and then build your facility to meet or exceed national best practices . They are best positioned to solve problems as they arise during construction , and adhere to Certified Builder Standards of Conduct . They are well positioned to walk your facility and provide expertise and solutions for drainage , premature wearing and facility design .
By having specified a Certified Field Builder , you have prevented the average landscaper or a builder from cutting their teeth on your project . While landscapers may have knowledge of smaller field projects , they are not well-equipped to handle problems that may arise during construction , locate drainage issues , or provide high-performing solutions for your facility . This is why it is important to specify when bidding your athletic facility project that proposers are required to have a CFB on staff and on-site during construction . This prevents having less-qualified bidders from offering a lower price commensurate with the quality of their work .
The easiest step you can take to improve the odds of constructing a great athletic field or running track is to specify that the contractor performing the work , and the superintendent onsite during the work , be a Certified Field Builder ( CFB ). The return on this simple investment will be measured over many years to come with a better performing and safer facility with fewer maintenance problems .
Article provided by Sports Turf Company , a specialty athletics construction company that constructs natural grass and artificial turf fields , tracks and tennis courts . The company has three Certified Field Builders and two Certified Track Builders , as recognized by the ASBA . sportsfieldmanagementonline . com July 2021 | SportsField Management
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