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The Spectator

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  • February 15Enjoy the Long Weekend!
The student news site of Lake Forest Academy

The Spectator

The student news site of Lake Forest Academy

The Spectator

Game On! New addition of Mackenzie turf fields

Throughout the past couple of years, Lake Forest Academy has made it a priority to constantly update and modernize the campus. In the summer of 2018, Lake Forest Academy embarked on a project that would completely shift the dynamic of athletics at LFA: the addition of turf fields. During the long summer months of assembling the new fields, outside contractors worked tirelessly mobilizing construction efforts. From workers excavating the fields to the LFA’s groundskeeping team putting the final touches, the making of the new turf fields was an extremely meticulous project. New turf fields have been in the works for several years. Having grass fields requires plenty of care and maintenance, creating many inconveniences for LFA. According to Athletic Director Mr. Darrin Madeley, it was time for a change. “Last spring we had 93 cancellations due to weather. Now we will able to play games that usually would have been cancelled. Not only is it logistically easier, but it gives us flexibility that we’ve never had before” said Madeley. Primarily, the turf fields will be utilized for lacrosse, softball, and field hockey, but will also be used by soccer if weather becomes an issue. Prior to the addition of the turf fields, cancellations for fall and spring sports were almost a guarantee. Now, the turf can prevent that from happening. Not only will the fields help avoid cancellations, but will enhance the athletic experience at LFA. One of the men behind the scenes, Mr. Pat Dolan played an essential role to the creation of the fields. He was involved in the process every step of the way, from the contractors, to the operators, and finally monitoring the construction. Dolan was very involved in the daily affairs of the new fields. “Every day in the summer, the contractors would get here around 6 AM. Operators and construction crews worked nonstop from 7 Am to 3:30 PM. After the outside contractors were finished, that’s when the

Courtesy of Mr. Dolan
Completed turf fields

LFA groundskeeping team put the finishing touches on it.” said Dolan. Despite the turf fields coming together rather quickly, the project itself faced a variety of challenges. According to Dolan, these challenges contributed to the fields being done a week late. The biggest setback was the weather. We intended to start a week before graduation, but we had to let it sit for three weeks because the ground was too wet” said Dolan. Besides starting a week late, the turf fields was a relatively smooth process. There were two vendors working diligently working side by side. The first vendor, specialized in digging up the soil. When the grass was fully excavated, the second vendor, “field turf” stepped into complete the process. Outside of weather, the two contractors had no hiccups along the way. However, according to chief financial advisor Mike Reidy, the formation of the fields was a very tedious project. “There were several steps into making these fields. First, we had to excavate the soil and then place a very compact layer of clay as the base. Secondly, we had to put several drainage pipes above that, and a smooth rock surface above the pipes. After that was complete, we were then able to put down the turf” said Reidy. Alluded to earlier, field hockey is the first team to fully experience the fields firsthand. According to junior field hockey player, Jade Steger, the turf is a massive upgrade from their old grass field. “It was really exciting to walk on the turf for the first time. It’s so much easier to play on than the grass fields. We haven’t lost a game yet on the turf, and we plan to keep it that way” said Steger.