D-backs President & CEO Derrick Hall claims the new synthetic turf at Chase Field will improve fan experiences at the ballpark since it will not require the retractable roof to be open like the previous natural grass. “We're also going to be able to keep the roof closed during the hot summer months, keep the air conditioning cranking. The overall fan experience is going to be so much better as well,” Hall said. He added having field turf instead of natural grass will also save more than 2 million gallons of water a year via less watering (Mike Sunnucks, THE DAILY).
ANOTHER TURF CONVERSION: In Raleigh, Joe Giglio notes the Univ. of North Carolina is "making the switch to a synthetic turf surface at Kenan Stadium." The project will cost $2M for the turf surface and $500,000 for three "additional training areas on campus." The installation process will "take about eight weeks and begin after spring graduation ceremonies on May 12." The athletic department had to "resod the grass surface at Kenan Stadium before each home game last season" (Raleigh NEWS & OBSERVER, 3/26).
