The UK Football Training Center renovation was an ambitious project, marked by its scope, size, and complexity. The task involved new construction for the entire facility while simultaneously constructing a new field, along with buildings, lighting, and other key infrastructure. Coordinating all these elements within the construction schedule posed a significant challenge, but we were prepared for the extensive work, including large amounts of rock and material excavation.
Irrigation System Upgrade
One of the most significant challenges we faced was installing the field’s irrigation system. The design for the system had been left open-ended, and we worked closely with the University of Kentucky’s athletic field staff to improve on the irrigation system that was previously installed when we built the training field back in 2005. Together, we developed a new design tailored to the facility’s specific needs, ensuring that the system would operate more efficiently than its predecessor. Seven years later, the new irrigation system has performed flawlessly, with no downtime or issues, proving the effectiveness of the design which was less likely to need repair and easier to repair if necessary.
Field Design & Features
The training field itself is a top-tier facility, featuring a USGA sand based field drainage system and natural Bermuda grass. The main field area is approximately 10 x 30 feet, with each end zone equipped with specific features to meet the training requirements. The field is also designed to be versatile, with the ability to rotate 90° to accommodate different directional needs, whether running east-west or north-south. The goalposts are removable, adding flexibility for different types of drills and training sessions.
Synthetic Turf Area
Surrounding the natural grass field is a non-infill synthetic turf area, designed with an e-layer underlayment to provide superior cushioning and performance. This area was carefully designed to avoid infill due to the presence of a cold tub used for recovery purposes and the need for agility training just outside the door. The project also included 38,000 square feet of infill turf, designed to match the turf used in the stadium. This area was incorporated into the field layout to meet the various training and recovery needs of the athletes.
Additional Features: Training Hill & Agility Area
In addition to the main field and turf areas, the facility includes specialized training features such as a training hill and steps for agility drills. To accommodate these features, we installed two different types of turf and padding systems to ensure safety and performance. The turf selection, underlayment, and all related design work were part of the overall design-build process, managed in close collaboration with the athletic contractor to ensure everything met the university’s high standards.
Result
The UK Football Training Center has become a state-of-the-art facility that meets the needs of both players and staff. The successful design and implementation of the irrigation system, flexible field layout, synthetic turf areas, and specialized training features have made it a premier training environment. The project’s seamless execution was made possible through collaboration, detailed planning, and a commitment to delivering the highest-quality solutions for the University of Kentucky’s athletic program.
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