Gunfighters go green with turf installation

by Staff Sgt. Roy Lynch
366th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

8/2/2012 - MOUNTAIN HOME AIR FORCE BASE, Idaho -- Synthetic turf was recently installed at the Mountain Home Air Force Base Fitness Center's athletic field, ultimately saving the base 145,000 gallons of water and thousands of dollars per year.

According to Richard A. Holmes, 366th Force Support Squadron fitness center director, the upgrade was necessary because it was hard to keep grass growing on the field due to the high amount of use by the community.

The new turf is an inch-and-a-half of plastic grass which is then packed with small rubber pellets, making it a flat surface. The field can be used year-round, allowing another location for squadron physical conditioning.

"This is a true playing surface that is low-impact on ankles and knees," said Holmes.

Additionally, more than 300 man-hours will be saved on maintenance.

"Prior to the field, I would have to cut and chalk the lines," Holmes said. "Now I just need to put the markers out and the field is ready to play on. We will sweep the field once every couple of months after the initial maintenance, and we have extra turf and 5,000 pounds of pellets if something were to rip or wear down."

The three-month undertaking started May 1, but finished two-and-a-half weeks early July 18.

The athletic surface is more durable, expected to endure the elements and last more than seven years, according to Holmes.

Although the field will be 5 to 15 degrees warmer than a traditional field, frequent field patron Grant McCormick doesn't mind.

"The field is a lot better than before," said McCormick. "We now have a flat surface where a variety of sports can be played without the concern for rolling an ankle."