The City of Sparks, Nevada saved money and resources by opting for FieldTurf.
By Michael Hainsey
In 2007, the City of Sparks, Nevada, selected 13 FieldTurf fields for its impressive new look, Golden Eagle Regional Park, making it the largest single purchase of artificial turf from one organization in North America. Providing 13 artificial turf fields for one organization is a feat that has never been equaled by any other sports surfacing company. Among the 13 fields are six softball fields, two Babe Ruth League baseball fields, two youth baseball/softball fields, a stadium-size soccer/football field and two multi-purpose fields. The 13 fields total 1.4 million square feet of FieldTurf in what has become one of the more impressive sports park facilities in the southwest.
On Monday, April 14, 2008, ceremonies marked the opening of the Golden Eagle Regional Park & Sports Complex, which is the largest public works development in the history of the City of Sparks.
“We chose FieldTurf because of the combination of value and quality associated with the FieldTurf product and company,” said Stan Sherer, Director of Parks & Recreation for the City of Sparks. “It was a two-year evaluation process of studying artificial turf products and companies. We visited fields all over the West Coast and spoke with numerous athletic directors and Parks & Recreation directors. It was a consensus among those that we spoke with that FieldTurf had the best product and the best value. FieldTurf’s company stability was one key ingredient in our decision making process as well. It is reassuring to know that the company that is installing 13 fields for you will be around for a very long time. FieldTurf’s overall dominance in the market was a major consideration for us.”
These FieldTurf fields will not only save 129 acre feet of water a year, enough to provide water to 428 single family homes, but will double programmable hours, or use of the fields, as well as provide a safer playing surface for youth and adults.
City of Sparks Mayor Geno Martini threw out the ceremonial first pitch to inaugurate not only the start of the softball and baseball season, but years of recreation and sporting events to come.
“We are very proud of the Golden Eagle Regional Park,” said Sparks City Manager Shaun D. Carey. “The facility and all it has to offer will become the standard for regional parks, and will serve to accommodate the diverse needs of sports enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels for years to come. I particularly want to thank FieldTurf for their dedication to this project. FieldTurf installed 1.4 million square feet of turf, the largest single project in the history of the artificial turf industry right here in Sparks. Thanks to their product and professionalism, the sports complex at the Golden Eagle Regional Park has set the standard for public parks across the nation.”
