Last Updated on May 25, 2024 by Pat

Creating a school soccer field is a journey that has to start somewhere. Combining vision, careful planning, and attention to detail, it’s about crafting a space where athleticism and spirit come alive, where students find motivation, and communities gather in support. This guide by UDC Sports Construction offers a step-by-step approach to building a soccer field, ensuring it becomes a cherished asset.

Understanding Your Project’s Scope

Every successful soccer field project begins with a clear understanding of what you’re aiming to achieve. The planning phase is crucial, involving site selection, design considerations, and navigating the legal landscape. A well-chosen site is not just about size but also about location, accessibility, and the natural characteristics that influence construction and maintenance. Engaging with stakeholders and community early on can provide valuable insights into what features are most desired, such as seating capacity, lighting for evening games, or even the choice between natural grass and artificial turf.

Constructing a school soccer field is a significant undertaking that requires careful planning, execution, and attention to detail. It’s about creating a functional, durable, and safe environment where students and community members can engage in sports. This guide, brought to you by UDC Sports Construction, aims to equip you with the knowledge and steps necessary to navigate this complex process successfully.

Initial Considerations

Before diving into the construction process, it’s essential to address some foundational aspects:

• Understanding Needs and Objectives: Assess the intended use of the field, whether for practice, competition, community events, or all of the above. This will influence design choices, such as size, surface type, and additional features.
• Budget Planning: Establishing a budget early on helps guide decisions regarding the scope of the project and material selections. It’s crucial to account for not only the design and construction costs but also long-term maintenance expenses.  Choose a builder or consultant with current experience, to assist in setting realistic budget.
• Site Selection: The location of your soccer field should be accessible, have suitable ground conditions, and be large enough to accommodate the field and any desired amenities, such as spectator seating, comfort stations, shade, parking, and storage of maintenance equipment and supplies.

Design and Layout

Designing a soccer field involves several key considerations to ensure the field meets both regulatory standards and your community’s needs:

• Field Dimensions: A regulation-size high school soccer field typically measures between 100 and 130 yards in length and 65 to 800 yards in width. Adjustments may be necessary based on available space, age group of the players, and sanctioning body compliance.
• Surface Selection: Choose between natural grass and artificial turf based on climate, usage, and maintenance capabilities. While grass offers a traditional look and feel, artificial turf can be more durable and require less day-to-day upkeep.
• Drainage and Irrigation: Proper drainage is critical to prevent water accumulation and maintain the field’s integrity. For natural grass fields, an efficient irrigation system is essential to keep the turf healthy.

Site Preparation

Preparing the site is the first step in the physical construction process, involving:

• Clearing and Grubbing: Removing any debris, rocks, and vegetation to create a clean platform on which to build.
• Grading: Leveling the site is critical to ensure proper drainage and a relatively flat playing surface. This may involve adding or removing soil to achieve the desired grade.  Natural and synthetic fields are typically sloped from a ‘crown’ down the centerline of the field from one goal to the other, toward the sidelines outside of which are located drains to permit water evacuation from the playing surface.  The slope of synthetic fields is typically 0.5% – 0.75% from center to sides, whereas natural fields are generally sloped at 1.5% to 2.5%.
• Drainage Installation: Implementing a drainage system that effectively manages water, especially important in areas prone to heavy rainfall.  All fields must include drainage structures and features to optimize soil moisture content.

Constructing the Field

With the site prepared, focus shifts to constructing the field itself:

• Subbase Preparation: For artificial turf, laying a stable, well-compacted, and adequately draining subbase is crucial. This layer provides a foundation for the turf which accomplishes 2 crucial characteristics:  stability, and drainage.  For natural surfaces, soil preparation is just as critical.  The best soils allow enough air and water to the grass roots, to allow for healthy plant growth.  Adding soil amendments to highly-compacted, highly plastic ( clay, for example, can have a high PI or Plasticity Index…especially in parts of Texas, Louisiana, and Coastal Georgia and Northeast Florida ), highly alluvial, or other less-than-ideal soils will help to create a durable growing media which will promote healthy grass for years with proper maintenance and management practices.
• Turf Installation: If choosing artificial turf, the installation process includes rolling out the turf, securing it in place, and adding infill material for stability and cushioning. For natural grass, this step involves soil preparation, seeding, or laying sod.
• Marking the Field: Precise field markings are essential for gameplay. This includes lines for the boundaries, center circle, penalty areas, and goal areas. For durability, use paint or markers specifically designed for sports fields.

Adding Features and Amenities

Beyond the playing surface, several additional features can enhance the functionality and experience of the soccer field:

• Goalposts and Nets: Install regulation-size goalposts and durable nets, ensuring they are securely anchored to the ground.
• Seating for Spectators: Consider the installation of bleachers or stands to accommodate spectators, factoring in sightlines and capacity requirements.
• Lighting: If the field will be used in the evening, high-quality, energy-efficient lighting is essential for safety and visibility. Lighting design should minimize glare and light pollution.
• Parking and Accessibility: Adequate parking and accessible pathways are important for ensuring the field is welcoming to all community members, including those with disabilities.

Maintenance Considerations

Maintaining the soccer field is vital for its longevity and safety:

• For Natural Grass: Regular mowing, watering, fertilization, and aeration are key to keeping the grass healthy. Pest and weed control should also be part of the maintenance plan.  Mowing is the most crucial operation in turfgrass management.  Proper height of grass depending on the season, allows for the most healthy, durable, and safe playability in a grass surface.
• For Artificial Turf: Routine brushing, cleaning, and inspection will help maintain the appearance and performance of the turf. Frequent replenishing of infill material is also necessary in high wear or traffic areas:  batters’ and catchers’ boxes, pitching mounds, sliding areas, soccer goal mouths, and lacrosse creases are especially prone to requiring infill replenishment.  Annual servicing of artificial turf fields is important in increasing durability ( making them last longer ).  Many companies, like www.turftecs.com offer highly effective services such as:  deep cleaning and debris removal ( without damage to turf fibers, as is the case with those using rotary brush equipment ); infill leveling; infill decompaction; system sanitation ( killing viruses, bacteria, and other biological contaminants ); and seam / inlay repairs.

Engaging with the Community

A new soccer field can become a central hub for the community, offering a space for sport, recreation, and gatherings. Engaging with local schools, sports clubs, and residents can provide valuable feedback and foster a sense of ownership and pride in the new facility. Hosting opening events, tournaments, and community activities can help inaugurate the field and showcase its potential to enhance local sports and community life.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Soccer Field Construction

What are the costs associated with building a small soccer field?

Building a small soccer field can vary significantly in cost due to factors like location, materials used, and whether you opt for natural grass or artificial turf. For a basic, small-scale field with minimal amenities, costs can start from a few thousand dollars but can increase based on the quality of turf, lighting, and additional features like seating and fencing.

How much would it cost to install artificial turf on a soccer field?

The cost of installing artificial turf on a soccer field is contingent upon the field’s size, the type of turf selected, and the complexity of the installation process. Prices typically range from $8 to $20 per square foot. For an average soccer field ( 120 yards x 75 yards ), this can translate into a total cost ranging from $650,000 to $1,620,000, including the necessary ground preparation, materials, and labor.

What is the expense involved in grassing a soccer field?

Grassing a soccer field involves preparing the growing media, grading the platform to the proper slope and relative flatness, and then seeding, sprigging, or laying rolls of pre-grown grass – sod – across the prepared soil.  Sod provides a shorter timeline to a playable surface than growing grass from seed or sprigs, but costs much more. The costs for sodding a soccer field include the purchase of sod, soil preparation, and labor, generally ranging between $ 2.50 to $ 5.00 per square foot, depending on the initial condition of the field site, soil quality, type of soil amendments desired or required, and costs of irrigation and drainage systems and their controls.   If power and discharge structures for irrigation and drainage systems are not close to the field, costs associated with bringing them near the field should be considered.

What does it cost to construct a high school, college, or professional soccer field?

Constructing a high school soccer field involves several considerations, including the playing surface, drainage systems, lighting, and spectator areas. Costs can range widely, from $50,000 for a basic grass field to in the millions for a stadium facility with high-quality artificial turf, lighting, and stands. The final price is influenced by the choice between grass or artificial turf, the level of infrastructure required, and regional cost variations.

 

 

 

These FAQs offer a general overview of the costs involved in soccer field construction. For more accurate estimates tailored to your specific project, consulting with a professional construction company like UDC Sports Construction is recommended. They can provide detailed insights and customized solutions based on your needs, location, and budget.

UDC Sports Construction: Your Premier Project Partner

Building a school soccer field involves more than just construction; it’s about creating a legacy that serves the community for years to come. With UDC Sports Construction, you gain a partner equipped to handle the complexities of such a project, ensuring the delivery of a high-quality, durable, and safe soccer facility.

End-to-End Solutions for Every Sports Project

UDC Sports Construction offers comprehensive project management from concept to completion, whether it’s a small batting cage or a professional stadium. Our expertise in consulting and design, working with the nation’s leading designers and craftsmen, transforms your vision into buildable plans.

Commitment to Sustainability

In partnership with ReTURF, we emphasize sustainable practices by recycling turf and infill from fields at the end of their life. This approach not only supports environmental stewardship but also promotes the reuse of materials in new applications.

Full-Service Sports Equipment and Surfacing

Our services extend beyond construction to include everything your sports facility needs, from turf installations to netting and scoreboards. Whether upgrading existing facilities or constructing new ones, we ensure your project is completed to the highest standards.

Embark on Your Project with Confidence

Choose UDC Sports Construction for a partnership that brings expertise, sustainability, and comprehensive solutions to your sports construction project. Let us help you build not just a field, but a cornerstone for community and athletic development.