The Los Rios Community College District retained Verde Design to provide engineering, design, and construction administration services for the synthetic turf replacement at Hughes Stadium. The existing field, over 10 years old, had reached the end of its service life, and the condition of the underlying permeable stone base was unknown.
Drawing on our experience with over 200 synthetic turf field replacements, we conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the existing field system. This included coordination with facility staff and user groups to identify performance concerns, along with field investigations and destructive testing to assess the condition and drainage performance of the base. Permeability testing revealed that the existing base had significantly reduced infiltration capacity due to compaction and migration of fine materials, resulting in poor drainage and reliance on surface flow and perimeter systems.
In addition to evaluating the field, our team analyzed the stadium’s broader drainage system, including runoff from adjacent hardscape and track areas, to understand how stormwater was conveyed through the site. Based on these findings, Verde Design developed a comprehensive drainage improvement strategy to enhance system performance and long-term durability. Recommended improvements included installation of a new shock/drain pad system, additional subsurface drain lines to improve infiltration and conveyance, and upgrades to perimeter drainage infrastructure to better accommodate storm events and site runoff. These enhancements were designed to improve field playability, reduce surface ponding, and extend the life of the system.
As part of the project, Verde Design also addressed accessibility upgrades required under DSA jurisdiction, including improvements to accessible paths, parking, signage, and site furnishings to ensure compliance with current standards.
