FTCS: Low conversion times, high performance.
By Peter Moseley
Moveable and palletized turf systems have become viable options for multipurpose facilities/ stadiums looking to expand their business without committing to a permanent synthetic surface.
Such is the case for Round Valley High School in Arizona. The FieldTurf Convertible System (FTCS), often referred to as the future of sports surfacing, was installed at the high school’s Dome in June-July 2007 to nothing but rave reviews.
The FTCS has proven to be a viable performance solution for a facility’s customized conversion needs. FTCS consists of portable sections of FieldTurf grass installed on specifically designed drainage tiles for use in stadiums. FTCS also features edges that keep the infill on the tray and minimizes the amount that falls on the floor. It also comes with specifically designed equipment that makes installations and removals a snap.
Whether needed in an indoor or outdoor application, FTCS has been built to perform predictably in any weather. Though typically implemented in indoor facilities, the draining characteristics of the drainage tiles combined with the permeable features of the FieldTurf grass makes the FTCS surface the best removable system. Washing away the markings and lines and allowing the water to percolate through the FTCS keeps the surface texture uniform and
player friendly.
“When we started looking for turf, we compared the different convertible systems on the market,” said Willis Hawes, Round Valley athletic director. “We flew up to B.C. Place in Canada where the B.C. Lions play. We talked to them about their FieldTurf convertible turf system, and what sold us was that FieldTurf’s infill doesn’t carry and stays put. It does not end up in people’s clothes after a game.
The revolutionary FieldTurf Convertible system has been installed at numerous venues in the past including the Rogers Centre, home of Major League Baseball’s Toronto Blue Jays and the Canadian Football League’s Toronto Argonauts, as well as in B.C. Place Stadium, home of the Canadian Football League’s B.C. Lions. Both of these facilities host a great deal of sporting and nonsporting events, making FTCS the perfect fit. A heavy amount of research and development went into making FieldTurf’s proprietary tray system.
“The main reason we went with FieldTurf was the effectiveness of this Convertible system,” said Tom Pifer, Round Valley Dome manager. “The convertible roll systems take too much time to install whereas FieldTurf’s system is much quicker and involves much less hand work. We enjoy the way it plays, which is like good natural grass. The kids also enjoy it as they are not afraid to dive on it. In addition, the people we have talked to that have had this system in place for a while say that the playability on this FieldTurf Convertible system is great.”
“What sold me, personally, was the flexibility of the system,” Hawes said. “The infill is ideal and doesn’t splash, it is very versatile so we can rearrange the field however we want it with relative ease, and it is perfect for painting the lines of the different sports we will be playing on the turf. So far, the kids and coaches have liked it because it is softer than dirt and the footing is excellent as the athletes seem to be able to cut, plant, and release as if they were on good natural grass.
