If you think artificial enhancements are only for Hollywood heartthrobs and flamboyant debutants, then PSU sports will be ready for the silver screen after plans for new synthetic playing fields are carried out.
The multi-million dollar All-Well center, Plymouth State’s future home of the athletic department, looks to include synthetic field turf, more commonly known as astro-turf, to be installed for many of the most commonly used athletic fields according to John Clark, PSU’s Athletic Director. Clark would not disclose the time frame for the project but the fields are said to be part of phase two of the All Well center’s multiple phase plan of construction which is set to begin in an undisclosed time.
“About seventy-five percent of New England schools either have or are planning to install synthetic turf,” Clark said, “It will be great to have them for many reasons. Right now we are planning for turf to be installed for football, field hockey and baseball, including installing the turf on the infield of the baseball diamond.” The technology of the synthetic turf allows for a more manageable maintenance of the surfaces as well as optimum drainage, a feature that is in high demand in central New Hampshire due to the increase in weather over the past few years. It is also environmentally friendly which fits into the college’s “go green” campaign. “The last two years has left us no doubt about this decision,” Clark said, “With synthetic field turf, you can play in almost any weather and almost eliminate postponements and cancellations.”
The prospect of this change in the make up of the playing surfaces has also led to questions being asked about the maintenance of the synthetic surfaces. Clark commented only on the change of maintenance strategies not the lack of its necessity, “There will be no cutting, no fertilization or aeration. The rubber infill must be properly kept up, repairs will be made on surface ripping and other damage and vacuuming of the surface will be done periodically.”
With the updates for the varsity fields being made, the benefits will be seen into intramural and club sports as well, according to Clark. The intramurals will be able to use the fields and the lights which are also slated to be part of the field renovation process. Although it was not mentioned which fields would have them, Clark mentioned the night use of the fields for intramural activity. According to Clark bidding for the job has not yet taken place and the installation was “still in the planning stages.”
The advent of the turf fields will allow for far less cancellations of PSU sporting events especially in the latter parts of the winter season, “The fields can be plowed if there is snow on it and will greatly reduce postponements and cancellations and there will be no added injury threat to student athletes with this surface,” said Clark. In fact, the threat would be reduced as more manageable grades in the surface can be achieved and professional maintenance of the surfaces will be in order.
With most other schools having this kind of work done, the need for artificial help against the elements has finally started to make its way from the professional sports ranks to the places in parts of the country that see more weather. The plans are in the works for PSU as they prepare to welcome what has been one of the most accepted forms of sports enhancement technology that will take them into the new era. Clark stands by the updates as PSU and Division III sports “goes Hollywood” and prepares for its own kind of plastic surgery.