HomeMy WebLinkAbout05. Discovery Sports Complex Turf
AGENDA MEMO
DATE:
March 23, 2010
TO:
Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Office of the City Manager
By: Brian A. Ragland, Director of Public Works
SUBJECT:DISCOVERY SPORTS COMPLEX SOCCER FIELD TURF
RENOVATION
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council:
1. Authorize Staff to solicit informal bids to renovate the athletic turf on the
Discovery Sports Complex soccer fields; and
2. Appropriate $29,000 from the Capital Project Fund (Fund 40) for this work.
BACKGROUND:
In September of 2008, the athletic fields at the Discovery Sports Complex were
hydroseeded with a perennial ryegrass / bermudagrass turf blend. Bermudagrass is a
warm season turf species that has a rapid growth rate and establishes quickly. It is an
excellent choice for athletic turf because of its high wear tolerance and recuperative
potential; i.e., it recovers quickly from damage caused by cleated shoes. Perennial
ryegrass is a cool season turf species that establishes quickly from seed but has only
fair wear tolerance and low recuperative potential. It favors cool weather and has poor
heat and drought tolerance.
The Discovery Sports Complex was opened for play during the Independence Day
event on July 4, 2009. In the subsequent months, it became apparent that the turf was
unable to withstand the heavy impact of permitted AYSO and Cal South youth soccer
play and non-permitted adult pick-up soccer games. The cleated soccer shoes
shredded the turf and compacted the soil. By September, the east field was left nearly
devoid of turf.
Staff has determined that there are a number of reasons as to why the turf failed to
become fully established as other athletic fields in the City. The soil in this area is
primarily a silty-clay mixture and not the sandy loam that is found throughout other
areas of the City. The silty-clay soil inhibits the percolation of water resulting in the
inability for salts and nutrients to leach into the subgrade. In addition, the soil is highly
compacted. All of these factors, and the high use of the fields by both authorized and
unauthorized soccer activities, contributed to the lack of root development and general
plant growth.
CITY OF DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA
Mayor and Members of the City Council
Discovery Sports Complex
Soccer Field Turf Renovation
March 23, 2010
Page 2
DISCUSSION:
A number of alternatives were evaluated to address the situation and the process of
“Drilling, Filling and Overseeding” was chosen as the best alternative at this time. The
work will include erection of a 6-foot temporary chain link fence to close the field during
turf renovation and establishment periods. The “drill and fill” turf renovation method
involves drilling a series of 1-inch diameter holes to a depth of 12-inches on a 6-inch
grid covering both soccer fields. The resultant holes will be filled with dry kiln sand to
break up soil texture and compaction, increasing percolation and aeration. Soil material
removed from the holes will be pulverized and spread over the surface. Below are
photos of a typical “drill and fill” machine and a soil cross-section.
After “drilling and filling”, the contractor will uniformly broadcast about 500 pounds of
bermudagrass seed over the two fields. The seed bed will then be covered with organic
top dressing material to promote moisture retention and germination. The irrigation
system will be adjusted to water frequently and often during a germination period of up
to 4 weeks. Approximately 4 months duration will be required for establishment, during
which time the fields will remain closed to play.
It should be noted the work does not end here. After next soccer season ends, the
soccer fields must be aerated again and overseeded with coolseason turf to remain
green during fall and winter months. In the spring, the bermudagrass will break
dormancy and will regain dominance if it survived the previous season. Depending on
the outcome of next soccer season, it may be necessary to repeat the drill and fill and
overseed process again each year until enough sand is introduced to permanently
change the soil texture and permeability.
Mayor and Members of the City Council
Discovery Sports Complex
Soccer Field Turf Renovation
March 23, 2010
Page 3
In order to move ahead with this project as quickly as possible to take advantage of the
late spring and early summer growing season that is most favorable for the
bermudagrass, staff is requesting that the formal bidding process be waived. Staff will
solicit a minimum of three bids from known, qualified contractors who specialize in park
and athletic field projects and will issue a purchase order to the lowest responsible
Deleted:
award the project
bidder.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Project costs are summarized in the following table:
S:\AgendaMemosCC2010\03-23-10\Discovery Sports Complex Soccer Field Turf Renovation.doc