Agenda Item No.: F.1.c.
Clarke Stadium (Legacy and Surplus Funds-Artificial Turf).
Recommendation:
That the following report be received for
information.
projected number of games through to 2006
that will not be accommodated due to a lack
of premier rectangular sportsfields.
Report Summary
This report outlines the current and future
issues, needs and costs of constructing an
artificial turf playing field in Edmonton.
An artificial turf field can accommodate six
times the play capacity of one natural turf
field. An artificial turf field can
accommodate 570 two-hour games; a natural
turf field can accommodate 95 two-hour
games.
Previous Council/Committee Action
At the December 3, 2001, Community
Services Committee meeting, the following
motion was passed:
“That the Administration prepare a
report for the April 2, 2002, Community
Services Committee meeting that
explores and addresses the issues around
the installation of artificial turf in Clarke
Stadium. The report preparation is to
include consultation with stakeholders.”
Report
Types of Artificial Turf
There are two main types of artificial turf
(carpet and in-fill). The main advantages of
each are outlined in Attachment 1.
Field Use Analysis
The City of Edmonton’s rectangular field
inventory is allocated according to the
“Total Quality Sports Field” policy.
Attachment 2 outlines field categories.
In 2002 the required level of game playing
time will be satisfied on all fields with the
exception of premier fields. Premier fields
are classified as those larger than 300 x 180
feet with combination posts for football and
soccer. Attachment 2 also outlines the
Routing:
Delegation:
Written By:
March 11, 2002
File: 2002CSRF07
To accommodate the current and future
unmet demand for premier fields, six new
outdoor rectangular sportsfields or one
artificial turf sportsfield would need to be
constructed by 2003-2004.
Stakeholder Input
Over the past ten years, the Community
Services Department has discussed the topic
of an artificial turf surface in Edmonton with
many Edmonton sportfield user groups.
Letters/surveys of support for artificial turf
have been received from a variety of groups
including: Football Alberta, numerous high
schools, Field Hockey Alberta, Edmonton
Wildcats, Mill Woods Grizzlies Minor
Football. A few high schools did not
support artificial turf at Clarke Stadium,
rather suggesting instead that funds should
be directed to other field uses.
The Department recently sought input from
stakeholders through a focus group
conducted by Hargreaves and Associates.
Stakeholders contacted were:
1. Metro High School Athletic Board
2. Edmonton Sport Council
3. Junior Football (Edmonton Huskies)
Community Services Committee
Joyce Tustian, Linda Cochrane, Doug McLennan
Doug McLennan, Don Dombrosky, Doug Kirchner, George Murphy, Ruth Merriott
Community Services Department
(Page 1 of 2)
F
1
c
Clarke Stadium (Legacy and Surplus Funds)
4. Edmonton Eskimo Football Club
2. Projected Games Shortfall on Premier
Natural Turf Fields
5. Edmonton Minor Soccer Association
3. Stakeholder Input
Topics discussed included:
 Should Edmonton have another artificial
turf surface?
 Would groups be prepared to pay more
to use such a facility and/or, contribute
to a capital fund for field replacement?
 Is there a preference for carpet or in-fill
style turf?
 Who should operate such a facility?
Comments provided by the above
stakeholder groups are summarized in
Attachment 3.
4. Capital Cost Considerations
5. Operating Cost Considerations
Budget/Financial Implications
Capital Cost Considerations
Attachment 4 outlines the various capital
costs of constructing the two types of
artificial turf surfaces at three different
locations (a new location, Clarke Stadium
and an existing premier sportsfield with
amenities). In addition, the costs of
constructing six new natural turf fields are
outlined.
Operating Cost Considerations
The net costs of operating the various field
options described above are summarized in
Attachment 5.
No capital or operating funds have been
budgeted for the construction/operation of
six new premier natural turf or artificial
turf.
Background Information Attached
1. Types of Artificial Turf
(Page 2 of 2)
Attachment 1
Types of Artificial Turf
Artificial turf comes in various forms. The two most common and well known are the “Carpet”
with underlay and the “In-fill” (a sand and rubber granule mixture).
Traditional artificial turf fields are those more familiar carpets of green, commonly seen on
television. The carpet style has existed for many years; the in-fill style is relatively new, with
some “older” in-fill type fields in the USA reaching their fifth and sixth years of existence.
Depending on the manufacturing process, carpet type fields can be abrasive to varying degrees
depending on the unique characteristics and do not readily mimic natural turf. The friction can
be improved quite favourably through irrigation. The play on these fields is consistent and the
use is unlimited. Carpet type fields are virtually maintenance free. The quality of the field can be
increased by increasing the density of the pile and by improving the quality and thickness of the
rubber pad. Life expectancy is very well known and typically lasts eight to twelve years.
An in-filled product has long fibres (up to 50mm) spread wide apart (up to 15mm). The bulk of
the product is filler, which can be sand, sand and rubber, or rubber granules. The sand in-filled
product has sand added to a level even with the top of the fibres. Rubber in-filled products leave
approximately 20mm of fibre above the in-fill to reduce friction. The fibres prevent the
migration of the fillers but add friction. The fillers maintain the pile height and provide shock
absorption. This field type typically has excellent playing characteristics. Rubber in-filled
products have a look very similar to natural turf. As with the carpet style artificial turf, the infilled type field also provides unlimited play. However, as the in-filled turf has filler, which can
migrate it does require some regular maintenance, though not nearly as much as a natural turf
field. Rubber in-filled products are very new to the marketplace and have unknown life cycles.
Attachment 1 - Page 1 of 1
Attachment 2
Projected Games Shortfall on Premier Natural Turf Fields
The estimated number of games not able to be played on premier rectangular sportsfields, is
based on the estimated numbers of participant registrations of sport groups currently using
premier fields. These estimated numbers are based on the past registration patterns from the past
five years.
One artificial turf or six natural turf fields can accommodate 570 games/year.
Number of Games
U of A Capacity
Net Shortfall
unable to be played on
(Allocated for nonCity Premier fields
U of A Use)
476
128
348
2002
623
128
495
2003
769
128
641
2004
916
128
788
2005
1062
128
934
2006
Field Categories
The City of Edmonton, Community Services Department divides its rectangular natural turf
playing field inventory into the following categories:
1. Small fields – fields smaller than 180 feet by 100 feet.
2. Medium fields – fields between 181 feet by 101 feet and 299 feet by 179 feet.
3. Large field – fields larger than 300 feet by 180 feet.
4. Premier fields – large fields with combination posts for football and soccer.
Users of the these fields include:
1. Soccer
 Edmonton and District Soccer Association.
 Edmonton Minor Soccer Association.
 Edmonton Adult Soccer
2. Football
 Edmonton/Metro Bantam Football League
 Greater Edmonton High School Football Associations
 Junior Football (Prairie Junior Football League)
3. Other
 Adult field hockey
 Minor and adult rugby
 Field lacrosse
Attachment 2 - Page 1 of 1
Attachment 3
Stakeholder Input
According to a recent focus group meeting conducted by David Hargreaves and Associates:
1. There was agreement that there is a need to increase the supply of sportsfields in Edmonton.
In particular the soccer community noted that the supply of high quality natural fields is very
limited in the City.
2. Scheduling is a challenge for school organizations who need to complete their games
between May and June. This challenge becomes compounded when game days are rained off
not just because of the loss of a day but also because the scheduling of make-up games on
natural fields does not always allow for double-headers. An artificial surface field would
allow double and perhaps triple-headers to be scheduled.
3. The Edmonton Public School Board and Edmonton Catholic School Board expect that use of
an artificial turf field would fall under the “Joint Use” agreement guidelines. The expectation
is that an artificial turf field would be provided to school groups at no charge.
4. The Edmonton Sport Council recommended that the City consider a variety of locations and
not assume the best location for artificial turf is Clarke Stadium.
5. Edmonton sport groups have said there is a need for more premier rectangular sportfields and
believe an artificial turf facility would/could be of benefit.
6. Most groups indicate they are not prepared to pay more than the current rates for premier
sportfields, nor are they prepared to contribute to a capital fund for turf replacement.
Willingness/ability to pay has been identified as a significant issue.
7. Most groups are not familiar with in-fill style artificial turf.
8. Most groups feel the City of Edmonton should operate and allocate time at an artificial turf
facility.
Hargreaves concludes by stating;
“There does not currently appear to be comprehensive support from stakeholders for a
new artificial turf sportsfield. It appears that support is conditional upon seeing more
detailed plans and options for such a facility and demonstrating how such a facility will
contribute to meeting demand in the future. In this regard, a detailed feasibility study and
facility plan is seen as a priority before any specific decisions are made”.
Attachment 3 - Page 1 of 1
Attachment 4
Capital Cost Considerations
To achieve desirable levels of usage of an artificial turf field (570 games), the following are
necessary:
 amenity building (e.g. change facilities for in-coming and out-going teams)
 field lighting (for after-dark use).
Amenities and lighting are not critical to optimizing use of current “C” Premier fields in the City
of Edmonton because natural turf fields require rest periods and therefore have much lower limits
on the allowable hours of usage (95 games).
The projected capital costs shown below are based on the assumptions noted in the table.
Six Natural Turf Fields
Including purchase of land (6 Ha)
No amenity building (same as most
other “C” premier fields)
No lights
One artificial surface on new site
Including purchase of land (1 Ha)
$1.2 million for amenity building
Field lighting
One artificial surface at Clarke
Stadium
No land purchase required
Existing amenity building
Existing field lighting
One artificial surface at existing
Premier field
No land purchase required
$0.5 million to upgrade existing
amenities)
Existing field lighting
Natural
Turf
Carpet
Type
Infill Type
$2,250,000
N/A
N/A
N/A
$3,175,000
$2,825,000
570
N/A
$1,720,000
$1,370,000
370
N/A
$2,220,000
$1,870,000
425
Attachment 4 - Page 1 of 1
Additional
Capacity
(Games)
570
Attachment 5
Operating Cost Considerations
Projected Annual Tax Levy increase
Natural Turf
Carpet Type
$ 65,663
N/A
Infill Type
Additional
Capacity
(Games)
N/A
570
Six Natural Turf Fields
No amenities or lighting
Charge “C” Premier rates
$107,472
$115,072
570
One artificial surface on new site N/A
Amenities and lighting
Charge “B” Premier rates
N/A
$31,254
$38,854
370
One artificial surface at Clarke
Stadium
Amenities and lighting
Charge “B” Premier rates
N/A
$60,994
$68,594
425
One artificial surface at existing
Premier field
Amenities and lighting
Charge “B” Premier rates
The estimated tax levy increases above are based on the following assumptions and will change
if the usage or rates are different:
1. Costs include annual field maintenance, repairs, annual contribution to life-cycle replacement
costs, and user services.
2. The mix of usage is 60% minor rate and 40% adult rate.
3. Additional capacity is fully booked at the applicable rates (see table below).
Rate Comparison Table – Hourly (unless otherwise stated)
All amounts include GST (total cost to user).
Note that the GST portion is not revenue to the City nor U of A.
Minors
Adults
Lights
City of Edmonton
“C” Premier
$3.00
$6.15
lighting not available
“B” Premier
$12.70
$26.30
$30.55
U of A Foote Field
Practice
Games
Additional dressing
room(s)
$26.24
$47.24
$5.24/room/game
$52.48
$94.49
Attachment 5 - Page 1 of Error! Bookmark not defined.
$26.24
$26.24