A 15,000 sq ft play yard at Academy Prep Center of Tampa became a synthetic turf field in under a week, built on Ultra Base panels, Ultra Base reports.
Results
The challenge
The school's play yard was heavily used and worn. The goal was a safe, fun place for its students to play for years, built with the help of volunteers, teachers and local supporters, and without the mess and truck traffic of a conventional rock base next to a working school.
The solution
Instead of dozens of dump truck loads of rock, everything arrived on one 53-foot truck, which was unloaded in 45 minutes. Crews rolled the ground repeatedly for compaction and covered it with permeable geotextile fabric, pinned with landscape spikes. Students helped lay the panels, then the turf crew placed the turf, which Ultra Base's patented turf barbs and stainless steel staples hold to the panels. After seaming and gluing, infill was brushed in and the edges were tucked and secured.
The outcome
Ultra Base says the field was finished in five days with little mess or disruption. The school's board president called it a professional-quality athletic field the students will benefit from for years.
Key takeaways
- One truck replaced the dozens of loads a rock base would have needed.
- Students helped lay the panels.
- The panels act as the nailer for the turf, so no nailer boards were needed.
Project details
In their words
Our partnership with Ultra Base provided us with a professional-quality synthetic turf athletic field from which our students at Academy Prep Center of Tampa will benefit for years to come. The field came together quickly, without any mess or issues, and the Ultra Base team did a great job.
Photos
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