Synthetic Turf: Is it Worth the Cost?

Canadian youths practice soccer on an artificial turf field in winter. A recent study by Quebec landscape architect Francois Hebert concludes that artificial turf is an economical alternative for high-use fields.

Is artificial turf worth the product's relatively high initial investment cost? It's a question that is dogging many athletic field managers these days as the new, second-generation ?EUR??,,????'??synthetic turf infill systems?EUR??,,????'?? beckon with their high resiliency and low maintenance.

The temptation to move to the new stuff is especially strong in the northern U.S. and Canada, where its ability to stay green year-round is especially attractive. While the debate over artificial versus natural turf has intensified over the past year, there's been little objective data available to base decisions on.

Now Canadian landscape architect Francois Hebert has published a thorough economic analysis of the question, which looks at ?EUR??,,????'??relative usage costs?EUR??,,????'?? for the two options in different situations.

The paper concludes that artificial turf can be a good option for high-use fields.

?EUR??,,????'??A municipality must look beyond the installation costs alone,?EUR??,,????'?? Hebert writes. ?EUR??,,????'??The high prices of these installations can convey a misleading picture. They can easily be perceived as mere luxury items destined solely for the rich and frivolous.?EUR??,,????'??

Irrigation and maintenance costs over time can make artificial turf an economical choice, he concludes. (The 16-page report is available as a pdf file at the web site www.athleticturf.net.)

?EUR??,,????'??If managed in a rational way, these new sport surfaces can take on the role of management tool which amply justifies the initial investment they require,?EUR??,,????'?? Hebert writes.