Turf's Up!
June 27, 2003 | General News
Well, almost anyway. Camp Randall has become `Turf City, USA' as the representatives of FieldTurf battle the heat and humidity in order to install Wisconsin 's new football field of green.
The crew worked straight through the weekend and endured two REALLY hot days of well over 120 degrees on the field while extracting the old carpet and padding. Much of the five-year-old-rug will be recycled to other stadiums that need patches or to facilities like batting cages or small infields. The padding has been deftly lifted to reveal the asphalt that provides the base for the new turf.
According to FieldTurf project manager Todd Brown, the crew will continue to work feverishly, 10-12 hours per day, to finish the Stadium field before replacing the McClain practice field. Brown, who travels with his dog, Bear, has installed artificial turf surfaces for 22 years. He knows this is a high profile job and compared it to other Big Ten Conference schools and professional stadium turf projects he has managed.
Before the new FieldTurf can be `planted', 80,000 tiles for vertical drainage are placed on the tarmac. The turf `carpet' is then placed followed by alternating layers of rubber and sand two inches thick leaving about ' of an inch of grass showing. The field, strewn with these fine rubber bits, is a much cooler, safer and spongier place to play according to Brown. The $725,000 dollar project is projected for completion in a few weeks.
Fans will be disappointed that the `Motion W' in the middle of the field was not able to be saved. Since it was glued in pieces, it was too difficult to retain in its original form.
Barry's Balcony
The first section of the east side super structure has almost become encased behind sections O and P in the Camp Randall Renovation. The outer precast facade panels are being placed and crews have nearly completed the roof. The balcony outside of Coach Barry Alvarez ' eighth floor office is clearly visible. The back view from the office looks out over the Capitol. The first of four elevators servicing the east side has also taken shape.
Soon the largest crane will move south along the road between the Shell and Camp Randall to facilitate placement of the steel infrastructure and precast planks for the next 120-foot section that parallels sections Q and R. The crew will continue this type of vertical construction by section through section X. The four-floor east side structure will contain 72 suites, 309 premium club seats, and 616 club seats, and new football offices. The fifth-level concourse will also contain new concessions and restrooms, and more accessible seating.
Athletic Department Office Building
The footings, column pads and foundation walls of the new Athletic Department Office building are completed and the slab on grade comprising the basement floor is being poured June 27. The crew began at 4:30 a.m. in order to complete pouring the 170 yards of concrete before the weekend.The building, scheduled for occupancy in December of 2004, will be completely backfilled and have a first floor deck even with the ground that people may walk over as they enter Gate 22 for the first home football game versus Akron September 6.
Tunnel Excavation Continues
Saw cutting and trenching continue in the Stadium's east side tunnel in preparation for electrical piping from the utility vault in lot 18. Staff and visitors are advised to find alternate routes to their offices. One main route to consider is using the third level that runs the entire length of the Stadium. Use the stairs or elevator at the football/softball/volleyball entrance. Go up to floor two and cut across the upper level of the football offices. Continue up the steps and through the hallway that connects to the third-floor stadium and fourth-floor offices.
Reminder - Camp Randall Stadium is a Construction Zone
Visitors are reminded that entry into Camp Randall Stadium is limited to the Gate 15 area at the north end of the Stadium (closed end of horseshoe) near the Lot 17 parking ramp. Please enter the Stadium through the red door marked 'Athletic Department Business'. The Gate 15 area can be accessed from Breese Terrace, the Lot 17 parking ramp and the area just north of the McClain Center. Also, the entire bowl is now a construction area. No staff or visitors should be inside the stadium bowl.
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