Building for the weather: The Foley Sports Complex

 Posted on: January 25 2017

Our friends at the city of Foley (AL) and Foley Sports Tourism have been making news with their Foley Sports Tourism complex, the major sports venue including a 90,000 square foot indoor events center along with 16 multipurpose athletic fields for outdoor use.

In the December 2016 issue of SportsField Management, the article describes how the complex was designed, despite traditionally heavy rainfall in the area. (For example, Mobile, Alabama, one of the rainiest cities in the U.S., is only 40 miles away) “Project designers rejected the option of using artificial turf for the outdoor portion of the complex, “ the article says, “and instead elected to build all 16 fields using natural grass.

“The goal,” the article continues, “was to deliver a better playing surface that would also minimize injuries. The challenge was to ensure rain-or-shine playability 365 days a year.”

To do that, designers had to come up with a system that would accelerate drainage in heavy rain, while holding moisture and nutrients for the grass to be healthy. The design included 10 inches of sand mixture installed over the clay-based soil. (a more technical description of the design is included in the original article: http://www.sportsfieldmanagementmagazine.com/the-latest/newsmakers/foley-sports-complex/ )

The Foley Sports Tourism Complex is part of what is envisioned to be a tourist and entertainment destination, including a water park, amusement park, RV park, hotels and restaurants. When the entire project is up and running, it’s estimated it will bring in $175 million in tourism dollars.

The outdoor fields and their drainage system got an early test: Shortly after the ribbon-cutting in September, the area was hit with two inches of rain in one hour, but games were able to go on as scheduled by that afternoon.

With a full calendar already booked for the outdoor fields, and the 90,000-square-foot event center slated to open this summer, the Foley Sports Tourism Complex is quickly becoming a destination for sports in the South.

“From pro to youth sports, lacrosse to flag football, the 2017 Foley Sports Tourism Complex calendar has something for everyone,” said Don Staley, Executive Director of the Complex, as quoted on the organization’s website. “The events are getting larger and bringing more, and more visitors to play, stay and enjoy all that Foley has to offer. I truly believe this calendar is the first step in a banner year for not just our city, but our entire region.”

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