Artificial turf has been around for decades, but the early versions such as AstroTurf were more like carpet than grass. The turf could be hard, giving knees and ankles a pounding and leaving players with ruglike burns.

High schools see synthetic turf—used by colleges and pro teams, as well—as a way to get more use out of their fields at a time of heavy student participation in sports and the growing popularity of team sports such as soccer. Natural grass often won’t hold up under heavy traffic.

Researchers have indicated that the market for companies installing artificial turf doubled between 2003 and 2005 and is expected to double again by 2009, according to Wayne, Pa.-based Sprinturf. They estimate that the prep market accounts for 70 percent of the total market and is believed to be growing at least as fast as the overall market, said Elliot Levine, the company’s president.

The number of artificial turf fields installed at high schools in the United States by Montreal-based FieldTurf Inc. increased from 35 in 2002 to 133 in 2005. The company has installed 128 so far this year, with contracts to install 13 more.

“I know it’s up because we’re working about 100 hours a week,” said Brooke Beard, administrative manager at the FieldTurf USA plant in Dalton, Ga.

Co-Creation Sports Fields of Provo, Utah, installed its first artificial field in April at nearby Timpview High School, where the grass field wouldn’t drain properly. Since then, four other Utah high schools have expressed interest in getting fields next spring.

“And we’ve had calls from Hawaii,” said Paul Sagers, company vice president.

Crushed stone provides the base for the newest generation of artificial turf. Small porous mats, to which the grass-like fibers are attached, are laid out and sewn together. Sand and tiny rubber pellets designed to simulate soil are poured over the top and settle at the base of the fibers.

“I can’t wait until the last week of October and the first week of November when we’re going into the playoffs and we have a field to play on, not a mud bowl,” said Brad Monks, assistant principal at Timpview.

Some schools turned to artificial turf to escape the costs of watering grass.

Valley High School in Las Vegas estimates its synthetic field is saving the school as much as $50,000 a year in maintenance, much of that coming from not having to water the field.

“It has reduced our watering schedule to almost zero,” said Athletics Director Mark John. “We are being encouraged by the water district to save water in any way, shape or form that we can.”

Source: Associated Press