Watching the Bengals game and noticed the new turf. The turf at Peden is starting to get a little age. Last year I began to notice it was faded. What's the normal life span of the newer turf? I am guessIng Peden should be due for a change. It could happen when the IPF turf is put down.

Just hope the AD doesn't go for the two shades of green that Akron decided upon--hard to getting used to the five yard shading.

I've always though since my freshman year (2009) that the turf look faded compared to a lot of other top programs.  Maybe it's the type of turf, but I feel like that if we want to continue to look good on TV at home, a nice turf field goes a long way.

All white with green yard markings?

If a manufacturer projects in this example a “turf life” of ten years, do they distinguish between schools like Ohio who also practice on the same field compared to other larger schools who normally practice on a separate field. I would imagine the age of the turf based upon higher usages is more like 12 15 years old. 

Simply politicking to justify more student fees going his direction.  Unfortunately senate continues to fall for it.

What's the cost for replacement?  Does the base build-up need replacement also--or just the top level playing surface?

Expected lifetime..so avg cost per year of usage?   Increased lifetime due to availability of IPF?



I'm old.  I remember when Peden didn't have seats.

I imagine a lot of long term damage to the turf is sun and weather damage, so I don't think having the IPF up and running will effect the lifetime of the turf much at all.

This is false. NFL added a rule, NCAA still has nothing on the books.



Doesn't change the fact that the life of the turf is about 10 years, exactly as he said.

Indeed i was wrong. My apologies. I see that there are now several other colored fields, and even colored fields at the high school level.

I've designed a number of synthetic turf fields and have done 3 synthetic turf replacement projects.

1.Under most circumstances you remove the old turf and infill, fine grade the stone base,then install new turf and
   infill.

2.Normally we figure the synthetic turf will last 10-15 years depending on its use.
   We've found that the "type" of use  i.e. football and weather effect the turf's lifespan as much or more then how
    often its used.
   Its also ensential that the turf be properly maintianed.
   I was on O.U.'s turf about a year ago.For its age it is in pretty good shape,so their maintaince people are doing
   their job.

3.We figure the payback on synthetic turf is less then 7 years.
  
4.The thing that makes synthetic turf so desireable is that you can use it 365 days a year,including right after
    a rain storm withou damaging it.Try that on grass !
 

This season will be the 11th on the field turf as the grass was taken out and artificial turf installed before the 2002 season began. The current fields decline was obviously in part due to usage and wear but also by UV light prematurely breaking down the fibers that make up the grass blades. The grass blades actually break and wear from the top down which is why after it is groomed you see black rubber particles on the surface. Essentially it's as if you were mowing the field slightly lower each year. Grooming not only levels the surface and fills in voids but softens the field as well.

The new product that will be installed in Peden will be a much more durable surface with better UV protection as this technology has come a long way in 10 years. Installing turf in the new indoor facility and replacing the Peden field should happen at the same time because of cost savings by the same company doing both installs. Cost for replacing Peden should be around $500,000 unless there are subgrade issues that need fixed. Considering the team will practice less on Peden and with the improved wear resistant turf 12 to 15 years use of the new field would be possible.   

Any discussion of the playing surface in Peden brings back bad memories of the reseeding debacle that was then to be the latest, greatest, grass surface ever (preceding this turf).  Somebody really dropped the ball there (no pun intended) at a time when the AD couldn't afford to eat a $700 - 800 thousand loss.

It bothered me more because I believe that football is meant to be played on grass, if not a muddy infield.