The importance of synthetic turf maintenance
Synthetic turf sports fields have become a commonplace in most regions of Canada. The challenges in meeting the demand for sports field programming hours, combined with the stress put on natural grass fields caused by the long stretches of cold and wet weather in Canada, have continued to prompt communities to opt for synthetic turf as the most practical and economical solution to this problem. However, synthetic turf does not last forever. All synthetic turf surfaces will eventually experience a decline in quality and performance as they wear. The speed and severity with which this decline occurs, however, can be dramatically different depending on the 38
Ops Talk • Fall 2015
choices that are made in the planning, product selection and the maintenance program selection phase. Synthetic turf manufacturers typically promote that a field will last and remain usable for eight to 10 years. Most manufacturers back this claim with some form of eight-year warranty offered as the industry standard. Despite these claims, the actual lifecycle of an artificial turf field typically varies far more than this with both the potential for significantly shorter and longer lifespans depending on the product selection and how well executed the maintenance program is. For this reason it is critical during the planning phase of a new project to consider the complete picture. This
includes the hours of programming expected, the type of user groups and activities the field will be used for, and a realistic estimate of what is needed in regard to ensuring proper field maintenance is performed. Far too often, the importance of field maintenance is overlooked or underestimated during the planning process. This is a particularly dangerous trap for field owners because not only does the field safety, performance and lifespan decline faster, but insufficient maintenance may also void the warranty. This is why it is extremely important to fully consider all the factors related to field usage and maintenance when planning your project.
