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J..L i, New Soldier Field Turf Features Heating System Turfgrass NATHAN ODGARD HIGHLIGHTS NEW FEATURES OF THE CHICAGO BEAR'S HOME FIELD espite the controversy over the athletic teams that were to play on it. Root Zone Mix architecture of the new Soldier "Players today are bigger, faster and Drainage and oxygen and nutrient Field, Chicago Bears players are stronger, so it's that much more important retention are two of the most important only concerned with one thing - to provide them with as healthy and safe aspects to maintaining a healthy sports turf the turf. a turf as possible," Mrock said. field. A field's root zone make-up DWhen 79-year-old Soldier Field Mrock didn't have to look far to find a determines how efficient drainage and reopened September 29 with a Black & model for which to build Soldier Field oxygen and nutrient retention are. Blue Division showdown on Monday after. Halas Hall, the Bears practice facility At Soldier Field, the custom designed Night Football, spectators found improved in Lake Forest, IL, thrives year in and year root zone mix is made up of 85% USGA views of the field, larger concourses and out throughout the season. The field's sand, 5% sphagnum peat moss and 10% up-graded concessions. The players, construction enables it to remain healthy Profile Porous Ceramic. The root zone meanwhile, have been treated to a new and withstand the frigid Chicago climate depth is 8 inches over a 4-inch gravel playing surface. The field's immaculate and daily traffic of 300-plus pound blanket. The addition of Profile is meant condition on opening night drew rave football players, Mrock said. to help enhance root growth, prevent reviews on television from Bears legend "We've had great success over the years compaction, provide permanent air Dick Butkus and commentator John with our practice field at Halas Hall," he porosity and improve drainage. Madden. said. "Therefore, we mirrored everything "Incorporating Profile into our root Bears head groundskeeper Ken Mrock at Solider Field after that." zone mix has shown me the benefits over wanted a field constructed that would Among the similarities between the two and over," Mrock said. "This same root provide a healthy, safe-playing surface for fields are two key features: a sand-based zone mix has produced a dense, deep root the Bears, their opponents and any other root zone mix and a heating system. mass, ideal drainage and •* pQge ]2 10 SPRING 2004 I Sports Turf Manager ! f ' , ^ » -'^ •••••• 'jii38*jnl Covered Practice Field overall turf hardiness. It has helped underneath the field to provide a warm and more forgiving for players, and will prevent unstable playing conditions, wear environment for the soil and turf. extend our growing season." spots and divoting." "A heating system is going to help us Soldier Field's sod was custom grown. Soldier Field groundskeeper John out a lot," Mrock said. "It will help us keep Mrock chose a Kentucky Bluegrass blend Nolan will topdress the field as needed a healthy turf longer. We'll see growth of of turf that closely resembles the sod at throughout the year with an 85% sand and grass into the winter months because the Halas Hall. 15% Profile mix. With the sod installed system will keep the soil at optimum in June 2003, John and his staff were able growing temperatures." The heating system was installed 9" to thoroughly prepare the field before the By adding the heating system, Soldier deep under the root zone using Monday Night Football season-opener by Field is taking after several other NFL more than 40 miles of 3/4" tubing. topdressing, aerifying and fertilizing it stadiums in cold-weather climates, several times. including Lambeau Field in Green Bay. Soldier Field will serve as a multi-use The heating system was installed 9 facility. It will be the new home of the Heating System inches deep underneath the root zone Chicago Fire of Major League Soccer and Plants depend on sun and heat for using more than 40 miles of 3/4-inch will be a venue for concerts and high survival. Unfortunately, Solider Field tubing. Radiant heat will warm a school and youth league events. • doesn't receive much exposure from the combination of water and glycol as it is sun once the NFL season rolls along into pumped through the tubing. Nathan Odgaard is a writer with Swanson December and January. "It does its job," Mrock said. "It melts Russell Associates, Lincoln, NE. He can be reached at [email protected]. To counter Chicago's cold temp- some snow and keeps the field from Article reprinted with permission from eratures, a heating system was installed freezing. As a result, it will make it softer SPORTSTURF magazine, November, 2003. KEN MROCK: STMA'S GROUNDSKEEPER OF THE YEAR After speaking at the Ontario Turfgrass industry and his support of the goals Symposium, Ken jetted off to the 15th and standards on which the STMA is Annual Conference & Exhibition of the based are legendary. The Gill Award Sports Turf Managers Association in San denotes an individual's long-time Diego, California where he was service and commitment to STMA and presented with the prestigious Harry C. those same goals and standards. Con- Gill Memorial Award. gratulations Ken from the Sports Turf The Harry C. Gill Memorial Award is Association! named for the STMA's second president Photo: STA Director Jane Arnett-Rivers with who served in that capacity from 1 982- Ken Mrock at the 2004 Ontario Turfgrass 1983. His commitment to the sports turf Symposium in Niagara Falls. 12 SPRING 2004 I Sports Turf Manager.

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