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Pat Dye Field Renovations This Offseason
Posted on 12/27/23 at 9:46 pm
Posted on 12/27/23 at 9:46 pm
Not really new news, but I was reading that PD field will be totally gutted and rebuilt this offseason. The drainage system is gravity based now, but they are replacing it with a vacuum system. (I would love to see how this is done, I am a nerd for this kind of stuff).
The old drainage system was installed during Dye's early years. War Eagle Reader has a very interesting article on the details of how it was done back in 1982. Dye basically got an AU engineering professor to volunteer to do it. Many years later, that professor was watching the 2009 WV game and was happy that his system was able to clear the water quickly from that monsoon. (I have to wonder if the new vacuum system will allow AU to reduce the "crown" on the field?).
Secondly, they are going to reduce the amount of grass around the field and will be installing field turf in its place. This is so the turf crew won't have to maintain as much grass that isn't used for actual play. This makes sense to me.
Finally, they are going to modernize the electric and communications systems on the sidelines.
AU has said the project will cost about $6 million and will come out of the athletic budget.
The old drainage system was installed during Dye's early years. War Eagle Reader has a very interesting article on the details of how it was done back in 1982. Dye basically got an AU engineering professor to volunteer to do it. Many years later, that professor was watching the 2009 WV game and was happy that his system was able to clear the water quickly from that monsoon. (I have to wonder if the new vacuum system will allow AU to reduce the "crown" on the field?).
Secondly, they are going to reduce the amount of grass around the field and will be installing field turf in its place. This is so the turf crew won't have to maintain as much grass that isn't used for actual play. This makes sense to me.
Finally, they are going to modernize the electric and communications systems on the sidelines.
AU has said the project will cost about $6 million and will come out of the athletic budget.
6
Posted on 12/27/23 at 9:48 pm to AUstar
quote:
The drainage system is gravity based now, but they are replacing it with a vacuum system. (I would love to see how this is done, I am a nerd for this kind of stuff).
Google the Augusta National green drainage system. I’d assume whatever system we are using will be at least somewhat similar to that technology.
Posted on 12/27/23 at 9:53 pm to AUstar
I hate that they are taking the crown off the field. Its a home field advantage in a lot of ways.
quote:I still remember that game. Didnt have tickets but was at a tailgate when the floodgates opened. Got back in time to see the TV broadcaster speaking about how it would take hours to drain the field. It stopped raining, they cut to commercial and when they came back the field looked dry as a bone. Announcer said, "This is the greatest field i have ever seen" I'll remember that one til I die
that professor was watching the 2009 WV game and was happy that his system was able to clear the water quickly from that monsoon
This post was edited on 12/27/23 at 9:55 pm
Posted on 12/27/23 at 9:58 pm to AUstar
quote:
2009 WV game
I remember that rain storm very vividly... CCR blasting in the stadium and the student section refusing to leave. Good memories.
The entire game lol
Bonus
This post was edited on 12/27/23 at 10:02 pm
Posted on 12/27/23 at 10:00 pm to AUstar
So long as we keep natural grass on the field.
Posted on 12/27/23 at 10:45 pm to AUstar
quote:
Secondly, they are going to reduce the amount of grass around the field and will be installing field turf in its place. This is so the turf crew won't have to maintain as much grass that isn't used for actual play. This makes sense to me.
So I'm reading this as turf everywhere except the playing field? Hope this is true
Posted on 12/29/23 at 7:43 am to AUstar
quote:
Finally, they are going to modernize the electric and communications systems on the sidelines.
Bout time…
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