Inter Atlanta will install artificial turf at the Arizona Avenue Soccer Complex, this summer, with a goal of completing construction in August. The club has chosen an artificial turf with an organic infill, on top of a shock pad. The total amount of playing surface will also increase, from 2.5 full-sized fields to 3 full-sized fields.
The club began exploring detailed artificial turf (turf) options in July of 2018, for a variety of reasons including rainouts and poor field quality at the end of each season. We established a set or priorities to guide our selection process; 1) Safety and health, 2) Durability, 3) Performance and playability and 4) Aesthetics. We hope you’re as excited about this significant development as we are!
What steps are taken to ensure player safety? We will install a natural infill, and a shock pad under the turf. Most health concerns raised over the last several years have been focused on infill products, not the actual turf.
What is infill? Infill is the materials spread over the turf during installation to keep blades standing tall. We have selected a product called Geofill. Geofill is made of coconut. Geofill alleviates the concerns with questionable chemicals from synthetic infill material, like rubber.
What is a shock pad? A shock pad is a middle layer of padding installed between the base layer of crushed gravel and the layer of turf. It’s like the padding under the carpet in your home. Shock pads are made to absorb the shock of an impact and reduce injuries.
Will the artificial turf get hot on warm days? A second benefit of the natural infill is cooling. The turf temperature of Geofill fields are up to 40 degrees cooler than those using rubber infill.
Are people with peanut allergies at risk on a Geofill field? No. Coconut is not a nut or a legume (like peanuts). Coconuts are part of the palm tree family.
Did you say we are expanding the playing surface? Yes! By maximizing the available space, we are able to accommodate a flexible layout of three 11v11 fields, up to six 9v9 fields or a bunch of micro fields. The playing surface will extend east towards the hill and west towards the current fence next to the street.
When will it be installed? This summer! Construction is planned from May to August, and expected complete before the fall season begins.
Will the expansion of the playing fields impact parking? No. The installation will not change our current parking lot configuration or negatively impact the amount of parking spaces.
Will we be able to practice on Arizona fields on rainy days? Yes. Please keep in mind that we will continue to close AZ in dangerous weather conditions.
Will the fields drain better? That is the plan. The design calls for an improved drainage system under the whole field. One challenge with Arizona fields is that there is granite near the surface in many locations.
Can players wear regular soccer cleats or will they need turf shoes? Regular soccer cleats are ideal.
How much maintenance does a turf field require? The field will undergo routine grooming after every 80 hours of use. Heavy use areas like the goal mouth will require occasional attention with a broom or plastic rake. Once a year the field will undergo an inspection and more detailed grooming process.