S P O R T S G R O U P Lynnhaven Ave., Lubbock, TX 79423

Transcription

1 D M A S P O R T S G R O U P Lynnhaven Ave., Lubbock, TX Chris Nunes, CPRE October 8, 2015 Director of Parks and Recreation The Woodlands Township 2801 Technology Forest Blvd The Woodlands, Texas cnunes@thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov RE: Options for All-Weather turf infill Dear Chris: As we discussed, the additional options and costs for infill in All-Weather Turf system in lieu of the sand/rubber or all rubber systems are as follows: These costs are associated with the possible amendments or replacements of the existing infills that are in the existing fields. Option A: Mitigate the present infill to reduce or eliminate the concerns of SBR rubber. This option would be the most cost effective as it would allow for the limited removal of the present infill materials to allow for room to amend the remaining material. The method is similar to that used to in site environmental cleanup. The incorporation of microorganisms would attack any and all contamination and reduce the infectious materials to oxygen and hydrogen. This method would allow us to remove only ¼ of the present material and add the ingredients and Microbes. The Microbes are suspended and inducted to the remaining infill using Isolite (a manufactured ceramic granule like sand). The budget for this method would be $0.95 psf. Plus extraction at $0.50 psf. For a total of $1.45 psf. Option B: This method would be to extract all of the existing infill materials and remove them from the site and dispose of them legally. The next step would be to replace the infill materials with a combination of Zeolite and Ground Walnut Shell. This method would be the most beneficial and cost effective method. This infill would require 3 lbs. of Walnut shell, 4 lbs. of zeolite. The walnut shell would have the function of shock absorbency while the zeolite would be the hydrating agents to maintain the moisture levels and also allow for evaporative cooling. This method would reduce the surface temperature of the fields on sunny days by over 40 degrees. All of the ingredients are safe and proven as environmental approved. Performance of the fields would be a bit more firm but well within the limits of the original specifications. The cost of Option B would be $1.00 psf plus the extraction cost of $0.50 or a total cost of $1.50 psf.

2 D M A S P O R T S G R O U P Lynnhaven Ave., Lubbock, TX Option 3: This method would be again to extract all infill materials and replace them with a combination of silica sand and EPDM rubber. EPDM is not a car tire rubber having no residue or ingredients that are claimed to be hazardous. This method would require 4 lbs. of sand and 3 lbs. of EPDM. The cost for this method would be $3.25 psf plus the extraction cost of $0.50 psf for a total of $3.75 psf. It we use black EPDM (recycled) the cost would reduce to $1.55 psf. The field performance would stay within the same ranges as present. Option 4: This method would be the same as Option 3 having the same ratio of 4 lbs. of sand to 3 lbs. of TPE, with only replacing the EPDM with a TPE (thermal plastic elastomer). The physical properties are similar except that the TPE is not rubber. Cost for this option would be $3.75 psf. This method offers the same field performance as present. Option 5: This method would be to extract and replace the infill with an organic filler such as the proven coconut husk and sand mixture. The replacement would require 2.5 lbs. of organics mixed with 3 lbs. of sand. This Option would cost $1.70 psf plus the extraction cost of $0.50 for a total of $2.20 psf. It would be suggested to use zeolite in lieu of sand to increase the hydration criteria necessary for organic. This would add $0.20 psf. This option would give the field the best overall performance as it relates to natural grass. The determining factor would be the moisture levels in the organics similar to a natural grass root zone. Option 6: The varied others such as CoolFill, EnvirFill and EcoFill are all proprietary and would serve the same functions. The cost range for these materials would be $1.75 psf to $2.50 psf plus the extraction cost of $0.50 psf. Performance of the fields would be slightly more firm but within the original field specifications. While this issue has become a focus of the end users and parents, I have to state that there are no profound studies that have proven SBR rubber (car tires) to have any health issues. My recommendation would be for Option B because of the increased benefits of evaporative cooling. This along with the zeolite infill circumvents any health issues perceived by the end user. Option B has been adopted by the City of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles Unified School District over the past two years with great success. I hope this information will help you move toward the future and the use of All-Weather Turf as the solution to sports facilities and safety. Yours truly, DMA/DiGeronimo Mikula Sports Design Group Joe DiGeronimo, Principal

3 ****All the costs below include the cost for extracting the existing infill ZeoFill ****1.45 per square foot with the walnut shell. ZeoFill is a negatively charged honey-combed molecular structure which absorbs the water like a magnet and holds it for slow release to cool the surface temperatures. You can use your existing irrigation to water the field before practice and not have the humidity raise dramatically as it does today on older fields. The surface will stay cool for much longer periods of time. Receive the benefits of a cooler surface, less pungent rubber smell, no harmful silica sand dust which increase chances of silicosis, collection of bacteria from the surface and helps clean waste water run-off. Isolite ****$1.25 per square foot with the mirco-organism This is a new product but has benefits as an absorber of water: An ISOLITE is inert, stable, and does not shrink or swell, the distribution of micro (capillary) versus macro (non-capillary) pores remain predictable and consistent. Limonta ****$2.45 per square foot Recyclable InfillPro geo is a natural infill that can be recycled for agricultural use therefore when the artificial turf comes to the end of its life InfillPro Geo is easy and economical to remove Superior foot stability The organic infill plant origin guarantees the stability of the athletes foot, equal to the best natural grass field. Optimal shock absorption The plant origin of InfillPro Geo also assures the athlete, providing a correct bounce of the ball and in the case of falling, similar characteristics to natural grass. Excellent drainage Due to the plant origin, InfillPro Geo provides optimal drainage and maintains this characteristic even in bad weather conditions.

4 Walnut Shell ****$1.25 per square foot only The infill comprises natural organic particles made by the process of grinding in step organic hard material, preferably walnut shells because of their ideal specific gravity which is above 1 to prevent floating, but under 1.5 to minimize material requirements and related freight costs. A proportion of synthetic, ecologically-safe resilient materials or granules to improve shock attenuation (lower G-max) properties of the infill mixture, when installed in artificial turf. TPE The innovative cylindrical shape with hollow space inside the granule, which makes possible its shockabsorption function (worldwide patent). The engineered compound formulation offering a perfect balance of elasticity and resilience, which allow the granule to return to its original shape after the impact. Compared to the other infill materials this material provides a natural feeling never experienced before on artificial surfaces. Its special formulation offers improved resistance against external agents like UV rays, ozone and weathering. TERRA granules maintain their characteristic elasticity and softness for many years after installation, and showed good wear resistance even after intense UV irradiation. EPDM The proven Infill EPDM ST is very lightfast and weatherproof. Many years of experience with infill granules has shown that this cross-linking method results in a product with solid ageing stability and optimal sports-technical attributes.

5 Coolfill maintenance/supplies/coolfill-green-coated-sand ****$2.25 per square foot -Cool Fill Green Acrylic Sand -Used for infill of putting greens and sport field grass -Temperatures can be reduced on the surface of the synthetic grass -Better absorption of impacts -Can also be used as fill between synthetic grass and edging surfaces Envirofill ****$2.65 per square foot Athletic turf that closely simulates the feel of a natural grass field, Envirofill and Alveo Sports Layer offerf playability, comfort, and safety. The superior system for athletic surfaces, the turf infill and sports pad deliver ideal Gmax scores and provide firm, stable footing so athletes perform their best. With its inherent recyclability and available Microban antimicrobial protection, Envirofill is guaranteed for the life of your athletic turf. And beyond. EcoFill Ecofill efficiently absorbs the impact caused by the weight of the player, allowing the player to pivot, plant, turn, twist, and take-off without the risk of getting "caught in the turf." The great dimensional memory shown by Ecofill guarantees a perfect energy return. Mondo's goal is to ensure that the Mondoturf systems deliver the appropriate amount of shock absorption and energy return, the key elements in determining the feel, performance, and safety experienced on a natural grass field. Mondo's turf research found that Ecofill produced results that were closest to a well-maintained natural turf playing field.