Byrne & Jones Sports Construction Receives Five ASBA Awards in 2022

Rantoul Family Sports Complex | Gold Medal Multi-Field Distinguished Sports Facility

Seneca Athletic Complex | Distinguished Multi-Field Facility

Seneca School District hired Byrne & Jones through TIPS Cooperative Purchasing early in January of 2021.  The project consisted of an 8 lane running track, a new baseball stadium, and a synthetic turf baseball field.  The new athletic facilities solved many issues for the district. 

Superintendent Dr. Brandon Eggleston said the impressive features are sure to have virtually everyone in this Southwest Missouri town of about 2,500 residents swelling with pride about this project.  “The track is an eight-lane stand-alone track. The new multi-purpose facility will have locker rooms, bathrooms, a storage area and a concession stand. The track will also be open for the public to use.”  Eggleston went on saying, “Our previous baseball and softball fields were in a flood plain and flooded frequently. And with the new location, we do not have to worry about flooding.  We did not even have a track to practice on, so that is significant for our student-athletes. We now have a complex that can host any size track meet and a baseball/softball field that will be a state-of-the-art facility.  The complex will be a point of pride for our community. It is a place where our student-athletes can compete that is safe, high quality and reliable.” 

Westville High School | Distinguished Multi-Field Facility

Westville’s renovations posed a particular challenge only fit for the most experienced design-build sports contractor. They needed to entrust someone to redesign and shift the location of their existing stadium to fit a new concrete plaza and fitness building, and expanded bleachers, in the extremely limited space they had available.

Having saved capital funds for years and having one shot to get it right, Westville entrusted Byrne & Jones with this huge responsibility. Not to mention the tight schedule it needed to be built within – the project was approved in November 2020, design was completed by January 2021, construction started in February and the new stadium was ready for play by August of 2021, along with a full new turf baseball and softball field. The great success of this project was also awarded the project spotlight in TIPS Purchasing Cooperative’s quarterly newsletter.

La Salle Peru High School | Distinguished Single Field Facility

One of the most historic football stadiums in Illinois, Howard Fellows Stadium was originally constructed during the Great Depression with funding from FDR’s New Deal incentives.  LaSalle-Peru (LP) High School has called this field home for over 80 years, and through thoughtful and proper upkeep and restoration projects, have been able to keep the stadium current while maintaining its historic legacy. The most recent of these upgrade projects was a severely important one – upgrading the playing surface.  Having been plagued by poor drainage and dirt runoff, the stadium field had slowly become a surface full of ruts and puddles. 

LP ran an internal analysis of their options to renovate the field, including a full strip, regrading and re-sodding of the field, and installing synthetic turf.

Ultimately, LP decided that installing synthetic turf was the proper decision due its consistency as a safe playing surface, as well as improved drainage for the site and far less maintenance expenditures.  And this wasn’t any ordinary turf field – LP opted to install a field that rivals most NFL stadiums, choosing the highly resilient IronTurf Woven product from Greenfields, resting on top of a Brock concussion safety pad.  In order to accomplish this, LP sought out the best sports construction team in the business and hired Byrne & Jones directly through a purchasing cooperative to get the job done.  Byrne & Jones successfully delivered their project on time and on-budget.

Plummer Family Park | Distinguished Multi-Field Facility

Plummer Family Park opened in Edwardsville, IL, in August of 2020 and is already becoming a regional destination for tournaments and traveling athletes. The 83-acre, $12.8 million park includes four baseball/softball diamonds, six multi-purpose fields, 12 pickleball courts, concession stands, restrooms, a shared-use path, and parking for 821 vehicles, including 22 ADA-compliant spaces. Additional ball diamonds, a community park space, and additional parking are planned for a future phase.

Byrne & Jones Sports Facilty Construction

If you are interested in learning more about designing and building a world-class athletic facility you can reach out to us at  (314) 254-9766 and ask to speak with a member of our Sports Division. We have completed over 1300+ athletic facility improvement projects across the Midwest since 2010. By combining our in-house design team with certified track and field builders, we can help our clients build their dream facility. From start to finish, we will be with you every step of the way. We are now the winners of 14 ASBA awards – which you can view here.

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How To Make Sure Your Athletic Facilities Are Ready For Fall Sports

Are you excited for the fall sports season? We are! If you have been dedicated to practicing and conditioning this summer in order to prepare for competition, you should be well prepared to play. However, there are several factors you should know about that can help to boost your rankings. These tips below can help you gain an advantage over your competitors and can help to get you more wins. Make it a good season and consider these suggestions below.  

Creating a Safe Atmosphere For Fans

The first step to gaining an advantage over your competition comes from the amount of fans you have at games. The more people you have cheering the team on, the more enjoyable games will be. For home games, it is important to make sure that you have enough seating available for family and friends to come watch games. At Byrne & Jones Construction, we specialize in all of your concrete needs. We can easily come in and lay concrete near the sports fields to ensure that there is a stable area for bleachers or additional seating. This way, fans can be encouraged to come watch games together and have a good time. With fans cheering your athletes on, this is the first step to success over your rivals. Check out some of our concrete work.  

In order for athletes to have an audience, there needs to be enough space to park. If your parking lot is covered with potholes that prevent people from parking in spaces, then you are deterring fans. A parking lot will help to encourage and attract a crowd. No one will want to come watch games if they are worried about finding parking or are scared that the parking lot is falling apart. The paving preservation pros at Byrne & Jones Construction can help with that. We will come in to fix your parking lot and ensure a smooth surface for maximum use. After you have ensured a comfortable experience for your fans, it is time to beat the competition with the fields.  

Providing Your Athletes With the Best Possible Playing Surface

For athletes, it is vital to have a high-quality playing surface. By being able to practice on a smooth surface, your athletes will be ready and better prepared to beat their competition. Whether it is maintenance or a new turf installation, updates are needed to ensure that your tracks and fields are safe to play on. Keeping your surfaces up to date is important to having your fields looking great but also vital to avoiding any big expenses in the future. Additionally, if your surfaces are not smooth or damaged, this can become unsafe for the athletes. Byrne & Jones Sports Construction has you covered. We specialize in sports fields including artificial turf fields and will ensure you have a good surface to practice and play on. Deciding on whether to have artificial turf or natural grass fields? We actually wrote a blog about this. Click here to read about the advantages of artificial turf. Check out some of our completed projects to get a better idea of the work we do. 

The final touch for securing first place is with the appeal of the field itself. Details such as color and graphics used on your sports field have the power to make all the difference. If your athletes are playing and practicing on plain fields, then there is nothing that definitively sets your complex apart from other schools. By having your school colors sprayed on the endzones of a football field and your logo front and center, no one will forget where they are or who they are playing. By also allowing your athletes to practice on these fields and play on for home games, this little reminder of school spirit can help to boost morale for the players, which is important for winning games. Check out these completed football fields to get a better idea of how you can personalize your field for a nicer appeal.  

Ready to show off your fields and win some games this fall? Contact the experts at Byrne & Jones Construction to have your facility updated and ready for the fall. Give us a call at (314) 254-9766.  

Get Set!

In order to ensure that your track can last a long time for your runners, it is important to afford it the proper care. This means being strict about the use of the track. Running tracks are specifically made for running and walking only, not roller blading, roller skating, skate boarding, bicycle riding, and motorized vehicles. These various activities will place too much pressure on your track and can tear the surface, which leaves an uneven and dangerous surface for runners.  At the end of the day, running tracks are designed and built for athletes to compete on. We don’t recommend doing anything on the surface other than its intended use. One good practice to help avoid this is to place a sign listing these restrictions near your running track so that people are fully aware of what not to do. At Byrne & Jones, we like to make sure each job site has one of these signs to help deter non runners and walkers.

Just like with most surfaces, it is important to keep it clean. Loose debris can scratch up the surface, and more importantly, create an unsafe surface for people to run and walk on. Tracks should be washed down and swept regularly to ensure that debris and trash are not causing damage. Apart from damaging the surface, having a clean surface will help to keep your track looking great.

If your running track is starting to look dull or you’re beginning to see the black mat through the colored surface, it may be time for a track respray. A track respray is a new wearing course surface for your existing track surface. At Byrne & Jones, our experts will go in and spray a new 2 millimeter thick coating, which is under warranty for 3 to 5 years. Think of this as a surface maintenance that will extend the overall life of the running track system. Respraying your track every 6-8 years will ensure that you maximize the life of the system. Respraying can help to extend the life of your track.

Notice any cracks? These can form from weather conditions as well as wear over time. Cracks typically start to form on the outside or inside edges of the track and should be repaired right away to prevent further damage. If the cracks are in the upper base of the track, this can typically be repaired with patching. If the cracks go deeper, there may be an asphalt or subbase issue, which would need a larger repair.  Cracks going into the asphalt could mean that it’s time to remove all of the track surface and investigate what’s going on below.

Go!

To conclude, you can save yourself from a lot of headache down the road if your track is installed professionally to begin with. With these basic maintenance tips and care of your running tracks, you can have a track that can last beyond 20 years. Take care of your track, and take care of your athletes by trusting the experts at Byrne & Jones. Give us a call at (314) 254-9766.

Click here to check out some of our completed projects, or check out our Sports Construction Instagram.

What to consider when selecting a site for a tennis court

The site for your tennis court is the single most important decision in the overall construction of your court(s)! There are good sites, bad sites, expensive sites, and sites with little to no access. The best site is one that is flat. The less dirt you move the better as it will be less expensive to build and could even take less time to construct. Think about the expense in hauling dirt off site, building a retaining wall, or having to build the site up.

Soil Conditions

In order for you to get the maximum life from your court, you need a strong foundation. That means good, dry, stable soils. If the ground moves, or water is present, your courts will have a lot of issues down the road. It is a good idea to hire a qualified geotechnical engineer to perform a soil analysis.

Sloping and Drainage 

Proper slope of the subgrade is critical to allow water drainage away from the court. The ground should be reasonably level, preferably on the same plane or higher than adjacent land. The finished subgrade should be 4 to 6 inches above the surrounding ground. If your site has a high water table, you may need to install underdrains or construct a drainage system to address the water issues.

Court Positioning 

The American Sports Builders Association (ASBA), recommends tennis courts be built in a north-south orientation, which prevents players from having to stare into the sun during the morning or afternoon. This detail can account for better and more enjoyable play for the athletes.

Trees and Vegetation

Trees and vegetation can create additional maintenance challenges. If tree roots migrate, they can damage the surface. It is best to keep them as far away as possible to prevent these issues and save you money down the road.

Contractor

Tennis court construction is a highly specialized project. For that reason, it is important to select a contractor who has extensive experience with tennis court construction. One general tip we recommend is hiring a contractor who is an active member of the American Sports Builders Association. Be sure to ask the contractor for references from past clients and visit completed projects before signing them on.

Check out this completed project of an 8 court installation! 

What are the dimensions of a tennis court?

Regulation tennis courts for doubles play is 60 x 120 feet. You must allow additional space around the perimeter for construction and maintenance access.

What are the different types of court surfaces?

There are four main types of court surfaces: clay, hard, carpet/synthetic, and grass. Each offers a different style of playing as the bounce is affected by the surface.

Clay: Clay courts are composed of crushed shale, stone, or brick. This surface is known for allowing a slower and higher bounce as this surface helps to slow down the ball. Baseline players who enjoy a topspin and longer rallies typically prefer playing on clay courts as this can help a player focus on developing their skills. Some players also enjoy clay courts more as this softer surface can reduce the impact on one’s joints. However, clay courts require more maintenance in order to keep the surface right for the bounce of the tennis ball.

Hard: Hard courts are typically made out of concrete or asphalt with an acrylic surface layer. This type of surface allows for the ball to bounce fast and high and is most common because the bounce of the ball is more predictable. Asphalt courts can last 12-18 years and offer a softer surface compared to concrete. Concrete courts are found to be less susceptible to cracking.

Carpet/Synthetic: These courts consist of a removable court covering. Carpet courts allow the ball to bounce fast and low. While less expensive to build and less maintenance required, this court can be difficult on the knees as the ball tends to bounce lower.

Grass: Grass courts allow for a quick play as the ball bounces lower. This court surface requires the most maintenance out of the four as it can be expensive to build and maintain. However, it can be softer on the joints.

What is the cost of building a tennis court?

Each tennis court installation is dependent on the amount of work that goes into preparing the site. Each court will also vary depending on what options are selected such as fence type, lighting, retaining walls, water runoff management, permits, and local requirements, which can raise or lower the price. The different court surface types will also vary in range. However, a basic asphalt court will start at $50,000.

Ready to play? Check out these tennis terms.

Now that you know the details of what goes into building a tennis court, you will be better prepared. Ready to start building a tennis court? We got you covered! At Byrne & Jones, we are a 7-time ASBA Excellence Award Winners including 12 ASBA Certified Builders. Trust the experts, and give us a call at (314) 254-9766.

The Advantages of Switching to Artificial Turf Baseball Fields 

There is a growing trend towards the use of synthetic turf for baseball and softball fields among high schools. Artificial turf fields can be found to offer a myriad of advantages for schools and sports complexes. While natural fields are still a great option, they can be tough to maintain and still have a fair share of disadvantages. Below you will be able to read about some of the major advantages of synthetic turf baseball fields. 

Less Rainouts Means More Time For Play

With synthetic turf, there is no need to worry about the rain when planning to play. Even after a rain storm, turf fields can be used without having to worry about damaging it. This also means less cancellations of games and less downtime as there is no need for the field to require recovery time. Teams are more likely to schedule tournaments at athletic facilities that feature artificial turf. When teams travel across the country for a tournament, they want to know the games will be played and not cancelled due to rain. The kids get to play their games, families don’t waste their money traveling, and facility owners don’t lose out on business. This goes to show how artificial turf fields can be more reliable than natural grass fields. 

Save Your Money on Maintenance Costs  

Artificial turf is low maintenance. There is no need to waste water in order to maintain your field, especially during the summer months when natural grass fields are in need of water to keep up. This requirement difference lends to a more environmentally sustainable system. Apart from water, faux grass does not need to be regularly maintained with mowing or trimming as opposed to natural grass fields. For synthetic turf, when regularly played on, the turf will become compact. It is important to keep the fibers in an upright position, so fields will need to be dragged periodically with a groomer to help avoid this. Once worn out, there may be a need to add rubber around the bases of the field and hone the plate areas for better playability.  

Consistent Play and Less Injuries  

Synthetic turf offers an advantage to the athletes as well. With artificial turf, the playing field is typically more consistent and level, which makes bounces on the field more predictable. This means less injuries, less missing teeth, and happier athletes. Studies show that artificial turf can offer a softer landing than real grass, which makes sliding on turf baseball fields less painful than natural grass fields. Overall, this high quality field will allow the best practice for athletes to work on their skills.  

No Harmful Chemicals  

Artificial turf fields knock out the need for pesticides  and other harmful chemicals as turf does not require any treatment for a healthy grass and cleaner playing field. 

Easy and Straightforward Installation  

While synthetic turf can hold an advantage over natural grass fields, it is important to note one drawback of synthetic turf. During the summer months, the heat of the turf can deter some away as the rubber fill can hold onto heat. Grass fields can be noticeably cooler than turf in these conditions.  

Is all synthetic turf the same? We actually wrote a blog about this. Click here to check it out.  

Artificial turf can offer a tremendous advantage not only to the athletes, but to the resources going into maintaining it. It is important to note that not every turf is meant for baseball, which is why you should consult an expert. Not sure what is best for you? Give us a call at (314) 254-9766 or contact us below!