New Drainage System Being Installed
The existing native soil playing field at Coca Cola Field is being replaced with a state-of-the-art, vertically drained, sand-based playing field commensurate with those found at the highest levels of professional baseball. The new field will consist of an under drainage network capable of draining up to 10" of rainwater per hour. The under drainage network will consist of a series of perforated pipes placed in gravel filled trenches. The new field will also be outfitted with an automated irrigation system. The natural turf will be a Kentucky Bluegrass blend grown specifically for use on a professional baseball field.
"It is absolutely vital that we update our drainage system that is over two decades old to ensure that we always have the best possible playing conditions for our team," said Mike Buczkowski, Vice President/General Manager of the Bisons. "This new system will allow us to provide the highest level of baseball and entertainment that our great fans have come to expect with the Bisons baseball experience."
This project is just one of a number of updates Coca-Cola Field has received over the past 23 seasons. Since the ballpark's opening, the Bisons have invested over $20 million in various improvements. Coca-Cola Field is currently the oldest ballpark in the International League.
The Bisons have engaged Sports Construction Group of Brecksville, OH for the job. SCG most recently installed the drainage systems of Yankee Stadium and PNC Field, home of the Scranton/Wilkes-Barre Yankees. With more than 50 years in the business, SCG's client list includes one-fourth of the National Football League and one-fifth of all Major League Baseball teams.
The Bisons have also worked hand-in-hand with Populous (former H.O.K. Design, the architects of Coca-Cola Field) in the design of the new drainage system.
Digging has already begun for the project that should take close to two months to complete. SCG will dig at least 18 inches below grass level and haul out over 600 truckloads of dirt before installing the new drainage system.
About Sports Construction Group
Sports Construction Group is a sports field specialty contractor that handles all phases of natural turf and synthetic turf jobs, from excavation and sub base through installation, replacement and maintenance. SCG has more than 50 years of construction experience, including more than 20 years of expertise building high-performance sports fields.
SCG's clients include one-fourth of National Football League teams, one-fifth of Major League Baseball teams and scores of top-tier collegiate and high school teams. On the SCG roster are some of the most recognizable sport facilities in the nation: Yankee Stadium, Citizens Bank Park, Progressive Field, Soldier Field, Heinz Field, Cleveland Browns Stadium, Notre Dame Stadium and Northwestern's Ryan Field, along with dozens of minor league, collegiate, high school and community turf systems. More information is available at www.SCGfields.com.
About Populous
Since inception in 1983, Populous has grown into the world's leading design firm dedicated exclusively to creating environments that draw people and communities together for unforgettable experiences. The firm has completed more than 1,000 projects around the globe with construction value exceeding $20 billion. Populous has worked with 24 Major League Baseball franchises, 30 NFL franchises, 80 professional and civic arena clients, 40 global soccer and rugby teams, 120 universities, 40 convention center clients, 29 equestrian clients and has planned more than 30 major worldwide events.
Their portfolio includes such icons as Yankee Stadium in New York; the 2012 London Summer Olympic Games main stadium; Nanjing Sports Park in China; ANZ Stadium in Australia; Phoenix Convention Center in Arizona; the new University of Minnesota football stadium and event planning for the Super Bowl and Major League Baseball All Star Game. They have received nearly 200 design awards for our work, including three national American Institute of Architect awards and countless global design awards. In addition, in 2009 and in 2010, Populous was named one of Fast Company magazine's most innovative companies in sports and was also named the American Institute of Architects - Kansas City Chapter Firm of the Year. As Populous, we enthusiastically embrace the expertise we uniquely claim - drawing people together around teams, athletes, events, places, commerce, industry and ideas they wholeheartedly embrace and adore. More information is available at www.Populous.com
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