The new athletic field looks great! What is it?

“It’s not your dad’s Astroturf”….it’s Sportexe® Omnigrass®.

Photo Courtesy David H. Smith Photography

What is “Omnigrass®” and how will it be used?

Sportexe® Omnigrass® is a state-of-the-art turf system – and the safest synthetic field on the market today.   It is very similar to the field played on by the Indianapolis Colts.  The new field will benefit football, soccer, softball, lacrosse, physical education classes and thousands of kids over the years having recess.

Why put new Turf in?
SCA is committed to maximizing the use of the land God has provided.  A durable surface that will be used by children for recess, athletics and academics makes sense.   Also…

Lower maintenance costs:  Omniturf ® requires no mowing, watering, fertilizing, or re-seeding. Regular maintenance involves brushing and occasional vacuuming. 

The typical sand-based soccer/football field can use between 2.5 million and 3.5 million gallons of water per year. Coupled with reduced labor costs related to maintenance, equipment and eliminated costs for supplies such as fertilizers, herbicides, and pesticides, several schools have seen a reduction in maintenance costs of as much as $60,000 to $100,000 per field, per year.

When considering the cost of water, fertilizer, painting, mowing, construction of the softball surface, reconstruction of the football surface, re-sodding, etc. the annual savings can exceed $100,000. Coupled with an expectation of increased enrollment, the school could realize substantially greater financial gains through this investment. Finally, consider the non-monetary advantages of an all weather surface, no more mud bogs for various events, and a cleaner, dust-free environment for our children with allergies and the advantages to SCA far out weigh the cost.

Higher availability for use: Omniturf® turf is available to use 24 hours a day, seven days per week, and 365 days per year. The surface won’t become muddy in wet weather. Recovery time from overuse is non-existent. Studies of fields that have converted natural fields to Omniturf® suggest that field usage may be increased by a factor of three, with no reduction of field surface quality.

Was it expensive?
Total cost of the field is under $600,000.00.  The Board of Directors of SCA authorized installation contingent on the following conditions:  1) The completion date was satisfactory to the administration.  2)  It comes in within budget articulated.  3) The debt service will be no more than $300,000.00.  To date; donations and pledges are over $300,000.00.  Over the anticipated useful life of the playing surface (10 years), the school expects to save over $750,000 in excess of the cost of construction. As replacing the surface does not include rebuilding the substructure, subsequent 10 year savings should approach $1,000,000 per decade. The field installation is an overall positive impact on the school and will help fund teacher salaries, pensions, the fine arts building and scholarships.

Why isn’t the baseball field being improved?
The SCA Baseball program was represented in reviewing the feasibility of this project and was consulted at length about his program’s facility needs. Ongoing design plans are addressing the future needs of the baseball program.

How can I help? 
Through prayer, please consider financially supporting this tremendous asset.  Be sure to offer a spirit of gratitude and thanksgiving for the blessings God has granted SCA.  Donations can be made by check or credit card by calling Joe Bradley in the Advancement office @ 602-992-5100 Ext.1036 or email: Joe.Bradley@sca-az.org.