Superior Dome Turf Replacement

The existing synthetic turf and mechanical conversion system in the Superior Dome was recently replaced with a new system.  The replaced 18 year-old turf exceeded its life expectancy of 10 - 12 years: however it was splitting and tearing more with each conversion causing un-safe conditions for the athletes.  The new  Pure Grass 3D synthetic turf was produced and installed by the AstroTurf Company. AstroTurf products use a secondary cushion backing that utilizes post-consumer recycled plastic bottles. To put the impact of this into perspective: a single 10,000 square yard field uses 40,000 discarded plastic bottles (i.e. NMU's Superior Dome required 3292 sq yds which equates to 13,168 discarded plastic bottles).  The backing materials alone in AstroTurf systems offer significant percentages of recycled and sustainable components, up to 70% green by weight. The backing system employed by AstroTurf is a composite of sustainable, post-consumer and recovered materials.    

Contractors: Astroturf Company and Wright Electric

NMU Representatives: Kathy Richards

Construction Budget: Approximately $1.9 Million

Schedule: Completed August, 2009