Paxton, MA – Warner Larson, Inc. (WLI) received the 2010 American Sports Builders Association award for Design Excellence in the Single Field category for AMCAT Field, Anna Maria College’s new multi-purpose synthetic turf field. The facility, with bleachers, press box and sports lighting was completed for the fall 2009 kick-off game of the college’s new Division III football program.
AMC’s rural campus is set in the southernmost geographic point of the foothills of the White Mountains. The site for the facility was an existing open grassy field located at the tree-lined main entrance drive into the campus bounded by rolling hills, woods and farmland. The biggest design challenge was to fit the expanded field, bleachers, press box and lighting into this beautiful setting as though it had always been there.
The multipurpose field required a large footprint, approx. 230’ x 380’, 87,400sf, for NCAA sports. The design team undertook a detailed study of both horizontal and vertical controls in order to fit the new field into the landscape without encroaching on the aesthetic that makes this highly visible area of the campus special.
The mature shade trees that define the main drive were identified as a priority to protect and preserve. The field had to be sited to give these trees plenty of space for the root system to continue to thrive. Therefore, the only way to meet the expansion needs was to cut into the existing hillside. The land was excavated back to a natural slope for bleachers to rest on and a tiered retaining wall with evergreen plantings held grade back at the southeast corner. Mature trees that are taller than the new sports lighting were preserved along the top of the slope behind the bleachers enabling the new infrastructure to truly blend into the surroundings.
Drainage on the site was accommodated with multiple low impact methods. Nitsch Engineering provided the storm water calculations and methods to retain most of the stormwater under the field within the voids of the granular stone that also served as the stable base for the synthetic turf. The use of low impact details such as vegetative swales, stone trench drains, perforated pipe, maximized infiltration the water quality of storm water runoff.
Light-Structure Green sportslighting by Musco known for its proven energy efficiency and full cut off design was used to minimize impact to the surrounding area. The lights were located in line with the row of trees to minimize the visual impact of the 80 foot poles.
The Daktronics scoreboard and end zone timers included solar panels and remote operation for energy efficiency and low infrastructure cost. The Dant Clayton 1200 seat bleacher system and press box was located on the excavated embankment opposite the entry drive to minimize the visual effect of this structure.
RAD Sports was the contractor for the project and delivered exceptional construction quality completing the project on time and on budget. WLI worked closely with RAD Sports and the college in a successful collaboration.
Opening in time for the 2009 season, Anna Maria College’s football program is now well underway in building a successful NCAA Division III program. Marc Klaiman, head football coach for the Anna Maria College Amcats was certainly excited about the new facility: “Warner Larson is terrific!!! Our multipurpose facility is a great setting for Division III athletics. This facility will help in our recruiting efforts!”
Warner Larson is an award-winning landscape architecture firm integrating comprehensive site design, engineering and permitting services for academic institutions, athletic facilities, parks & playgrounds, commercial developments and residential projects throughout New England.