Scouting Report

The Issue: Rutgers sought a “hockey specific” complex that matched the championship-caliber efforts of its Scarlet Knights players and coaches. The team had been playing on a natural grass field within a running track – not an environment conducive to the controlled ball roll that field hockey teams prefer. Construction of the new field faced an aggressive timeline when work was pushed back to late May, while completion was targeted for the start of the field hockey season in mid-August.

The Job: SCG managed the project from bottom to top, including the irrigation system, base and turf. The field was built based on the design requirements developed by SCG for premier hockey pitches, which include a porous asphalt base, foam pad and an AstroTurf-12 surface. During SCG’s site analysis, unsuitable soils were found, which required that the subgrade be stabilized before the base could be constructed. The project also required that an underground storm retention system be built. In addition, due to their proximity to the running track, “pop-up” irrigation guns were installed for safety. They can water the entire field from just six perimeter stations in a matter of minutes and then retract under the surface.

The Results: The project was completed in time to give the Scarlet Knights field hockey team a true “home field advantage” when they opened their season. “I frequently went out to the field to see how it was shaping up,” said Head Coach Liz Tchou. “I was so impressed by the quality of work shown by the Sports Construction guys. Their meticulous nature was impressive and it showed when we started training on the surface. After games, coaches and players commented on how well the field played.”