Trials and Tribulations of Building a New Sports Field Complex. Roger D. Havlak *Parks Superintendent (City of San Angelo) *Turfgrass Consultant

Transcription

1 Trials and Tribulations of Building a New Sports Field Complex Roger D. Havlak *Parks Superintendent (City of San Angelo) *Turfgrass Consultant

2 Rio Concho Sports Complex Construction began September 2007 Completion in June 2009 (November 2008??) Approximately 75 acres with a Community Park Approximately 55 acres of Tifway 419 hybrid bermudagrass 15 ball fields foot fence softball fields foot fence baseball field foot fence little league fields foot fence tee ball field

3 How can you avoid these problems?

4 Or these problems?

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6 Planning and Design Work with an architect that knows and understands the complexity of sports field construction (i.e. soils, irrigation, drainage, fencing, buildings, electrical, plumbing, etc.) Check references of the architect for performance on past projects Work directly with the architect on the design and specifications of the contract Make sure the architect understands their role before, during, and at completion of the project

7 Specifications of the Contract Review and make the necessary changes in the contract before going out for bid Use resources you know and trust for advice (i.e. Turf Specialists, soil lab personnel, other turf managers, etc.) Make sure the Owner is well informed and accepts the contents/specifications of the contract Add more specifications to cover all aspects of the project. Do not assume that the Contractor will know and understand the complexities of sports field construction (i.e overcompaction, drainage, soil types and depths, soil quality, weed management, irrigation installation procedures, laser grading, fencing, building/structures, etc.) Remember, you can always negotiate what you have in the specifications of the contract, but you cannot add to the specifications once you have hired the Contractor and started the project---unless you want to pay extra!

8 Contracts and Specifications Know your specifications Use these extensively from the bidding process to completion of all construction

9 Contractor Selection Contractor shall list all sports field construction (or related) projects currently in progress: name, contact person, schedule or percent completion, and value/amount of project. Contractor to provide list and credentials of all subcontractors for approval prior to the awarding of the bid. Contractor shall list all projects that were awarded to them but failed to complete within the past 7 years. Contractor shall list all defaults of Bids or Performance Bonds. Contractor shall list all judgments, claims, arbitration, proceedings, or law suits pending or outstanding either against them or from them for the past 7 years. Contractor shall provide the name, credentials, and job responsibility of the turf superintendent the Contractor intends to use during the sports field installation prior to bid. Contractor shall provide information or a list of past completed jobs relating to sports field complex construction as a reference. Use terms like LOWEST QUALIFIED BIDDER in the contract.

10 Contractor/Owner Issues Have the Contractor develop a timeline for the start date and completion date of all aspects of the project in the appropriate order Contractor should meet with his/her subcontractors and Owner representatives at least once per week--communication is the key! Contractor should make periodic changes on the timeline and approved by the Owner Liquidated damages should be applied to the Contractor if he/she fails to meet the timeline

11 Contractor/Owner Issues Change orders need to be made in a timely manner with approval by the Owner and the Contractor Documentation is critical for change orders and specifications of the contract Payments to the Contractor should be made if he/she adheres to the contract and shows adequate and acceptable progress Payments should be withheld if the Contractor fails to adhere to the specifications or does not show adequate and acceptable progress

12 Demolition Make sure the contract specifies who will be responsible for the demolition/removal of existing structure, fencing, debris, etc.

13 Soil Selection Use a reputable soil testing lab for analysis and advice before and during the project Analyze and understand your existing soils at the site Know and understand the drainage issues, sub-grade, topsoil, and infield mix that you are wanting to use Keep the ranges of the specifications tight for all types of soils used in the project Specify the type of analysis (i.e. texture, EC, ph, fertility, plasticity, organic content, etc.) Specify sampling technique Specify what, when, and how many samples (i.e. prior to delivery and at delivery for verification before installation) (i.e every 2000 tons, every quadrant, etc.) Remember, you can always negotiate a wider range if you choose to do so, but you cannot make them tighter unless you want to pay more!

14 Take soil samples of blends, existing soil, etc. to verify your specs!

15 Topsoil If you specify a certain depth of topsoil over the subgrade, spend the time verifying that you have it!

16 Sub-grade and Topsoil Verify sub-grade and final grade elevations to confirm slope, topsoil depth, proper drainage, etc.

17 Quality of Soil Specify that the sub-grade and topsoil over the entire site be free of rock, debris, glass, etc. Specify that two different soils cannot be used on the same field, area, etc.

18 Keep the site clear of weeds! Controlling weeds such as common bermudagrass is a must during construction, especially prior to sprigging/sodding a hybrid bermudagrass such as Tifway 419.

19 Verify compaction issues in the sub-grade and topsoil! Specify scarification and proctor densities ranging from 83% to 88%!

20 Laser Grading Specify laser grading Specify the type and size of equipment Verify with a 3 rd party reputable surveyor

21 Infield Mix and Conditioners Make sure the Contractor understands the specifications of the texture, color, plasticity, organic content, etc. Define depth, conditioners, mounds, installation, etc.

22 Specify and verify the infield mix 60% sand 20% clay 20% silt Understand sand particle size

23 Irrigation Concerns

24 Irrigation Double check the irrigation system design from the architect for flaws, equipment type and compatibility, layout design, manufacturer specifications, application rates, distribution uniformity (head to head coverage), etc. Make sure you have enough irrigation water from the source to meet the demands Specify the method of installing the irrigation system (i.e. ditch and pipe into sub-grade, add topsoil, then place heads topsoil contamination issues) Specify irrigation audits on all zones for approval by Owner Strategically place isolation valves throughout

25 Turfgrass Selection Specify exactly what you want type, sod vs. sprigs vs. seed, planting rate, dates of planting, pre-plant fertilizer, herbicide applications (i.e. Ronstar application-sprigging), tillage, rolling, irrigation, etc. Have a backup plan if the Contractor cannot meet the dates for planting Specify free of weeds, especially common bermudagrass! Specify that the Owner must approve the turfgrass prior to installation travel to the sod farms Specify the guarantee maintenance period for the Contractor

26 Inspect the Sod Farms Contract should read that the Owner s representative is required to approve the sod/sprigs prior to installation.

27 Issues to Deal With Be observant and verify the work of the contractor

28 Be observant, take digital photos, and document everything!

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30 Weeds, Weeds, and More Weeds!!!

31 Rocks, Rocks, and More Rocks!!

32 More Problems!!

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34 Lessons Learned Be Very Specific! After construction site is initially cleared, the Contractor is responsible for maintaining control of all weed (i.e. grass, broadleaves, sedges, etc.) and/or woody plant growth throughout the construction period until the site is completed and approved by the Owner. Contractor is to use the appropriate herbicide at its recommended labeled rate and follow all laws for using herbicides in Texas. Weeds are not to exceed four (4 ) inches in height at any point during the construction phase. When soil conditions are moist from rainfall, water leaks, etc., the Contractor must obtain approval from the Owner s representative before construction activities proceed. Efforts are to be made by the Contractor to avoid any type of excessive compaction for all landscaping/turfgrass sites.

35 Lessons Learned Be Very Specific! Degree of finish grade shall be plus or minus 0.5 inch as obtained by laser grading and final grade shall be verified by a survey conducted by a third party licensed surveyor and paid for by the Contractor. Survey points are to be at 20-foot increments throughout the site. Finish surfaces shall not be more than 0.5 inch above or below established grade elevation. Contractor must submit the verification survey results to the Owner for approval. Fine grade the topsoil to eliminate uneven areas and low spots. Maintain profiles and contour of subgrade. Finish grade shall be a smooth, clod-free, non-compacted seedbed, ready for planting. Topsoil (specify depth?) shall be further prepared by the removal of debris, glass, metal, plastics, wood, building materials, rubbish, weeds, and stones larger than three fourths (3/4") inches in diameter, etc..

36 Lessons Learned Be Very Specific! Tillage shall be accomplished to eliminate compaction issues, loosen the soil, destroy existing vegetation, and prepare an acceptable seed/sod bed. All grading and placing of topsoil on any given area will be done prior to the turfgrass installation. It will be this Contractor's responsibility to maintain the existing grades and leave them in a true and even condition until approved by the Owner. Throughout the project it is the Contractor's responsibility to maintain the topsoil in place at specified grades. Topsoil losses due to erosion will be replaced by the Contractor until acceptance is achieved from the Owner. Protect plant growth and features remaining as final landscaping. (i.e. Live Oak grubbed during construction)

37 March 2009

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39 Extreme Measures during Turf Establishment

40 The Unappreciated! Don t expect to always be the most liked person at the site Stay focused, be professional, but stay firm!

41 September 2006

42 September 2006

43 August 2009

44 July 2010

45 July 2010

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51 Questions??