The artificial turf on three multi-purpose fields at the Golden Eagle Regional Park sports complex is being reconditioned this week by FieldTurf, the company that sold and installed the turf, after questions were raised about the turf’s condition.
The work involves brushing the turf to distribute the rubber in-fill material evenly and remove debris and broken fibers.
FieldTurf agreed to do the work at no cost to the city of Sparks after city officials asked the company to inspect the fields. City officials made the request following a Sparks Tribune report that the turf on the three fields was defective because the fibers wear out prematurely and break off.
The city purchased the turf in 2007 for about $1.4 million, and installation was completed the following year.
Defective turf on other fields across has been replaced under warranty by FieldTurf. The city of Sparks, however, has not pursued replacement under its eight-year warranty, which expires next year.
Dan Marran, the city’s contracts and risk manager, has said the city doesn’t believe the turf is defective.
After FieldTurf inspected the fields in July, Martin Olinger, FieldTurf’s senior vice president for sales, told the city in an email message that the three fields are “wearing at a rate that is consistent with their age and use.”
City officials were warned about the defective turf in a 2012 letter from FieldTurf, which advised the city that it may be receiving a subpoena from the supplier of the fibers.
FieldTurf had sued the supplier, a company called TenCate. In the suit, FieldTurf said it had installed more than 100 artificial turf fields using defective fibers. The suit was settled out of court.
Charles Kemp says
Even with turf you still have to take care of it. I like that you mention the reasons why you want to brush the turf. It is pretty logical and if you have too much rubber in one spot and not enough in other spots it can make playing harder. What are the rubber fill pieces even used for?