Frankenmuth

WHAT ACTIVITIES WILL BE HELD ON THE FIELDS? Activities will include PE classes, football, soccer, conditioning for athletics, softball tournament games, and band. Even classes can be held in the outdoor facilities. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– WHAT MAINTENANCE DO THE FIELDS REQUIRE? There is a "groomer" for each site. Once a month - the maintenance department's Ranger will pull it through common play areas. Then they will throw extra rubber pellets in high traffic zones, like where the goalie stands. It naturally fills in with play. Restitching can be done if there are issues with tears. The fields will be tested yearly, or when needed, to check for the appropriate amount of infill. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– HOW LONG WILL FIELDTURF LAST? 12-15 years. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ARE THERE CHANGES IN EQUIPMENT ATHLETES WILL NEED? Soccer and football will still be able to wear their standard cleats. No metal spikes are allowed for softball. Regular tennis shoes are fine for conditioning, but turf shoes can be worn if the athlete chooses. Long sleeves may be helpful if you have sensitive skin or get scraped up easily. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– ANY OTHER FIELD RULES? We want to respect the campus facilities. Only water will be allowed on the playing surface. Some things that will not be allowed are pop, gum, seeds, popcorn, colored sports drinks, tents staked into the turf, heaters, or pets. Signage will be posted. By keeping the facilities clean we can extend the longevity of the fields. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– IF THE FIELDS DO NEED TO BE CLEANED, HOW WILL THAT BE DONE? The field will be hosed down with water. We can also use an eco-friendly detergent cleaner where needed. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– TELL US HOW THE FIELDS HANDLE THE ELEMENTS. The football field should drain quickly (a rate of 70 in/hour) by directing water to the corners, then into the sewer system. The soccer field will drain to the ditch east of the baseball field. Both fields will be a little slick when wet, but should remain stable, not squishy like grass. In the winter months snow can be removed via a plastic tube put over the snow plow blade of the maintenance Ranger. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– WHAT MIGHT PEOPLE BE SURPRISED TO LEARN ABOUT THE TURF PROJECTS? The designs and lines on the fields are sewn in on site. The field is not printed up at the factory and rolled out. ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– WHAT ARE YOU EXCITED TO SEE THE MOST WITH THE TURF? We are excited to see our kids play, obviously. We won't have to worry about playing conditions or marking and lining the fields. We'll be at ease to know we're ready to go. Kevin Schwedler stated with pride, When the project manager for FieldTurf, Kyle Dimke, was discussing the project recently, he said, "I visit hundreds of schools each year, and Frankenmuth, by far, has had the most eyes on the projects. People pull in, get out of their cars and take a look. Others choose to view the progress from afar. But no matter what this has been a community project." "We are fortunate that our community can provide our student athletes two state of the art facilities for extensive multisport use, prime playing conditions and quality surfaces that will last for many years to come." 15

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