Category: News

GSS PARTNERS WITH ACT GLOBAL ON U.S. BANK STADIUM’S SYNTHETIC TURF SYSTEM

The Minnesota Vikings’ home features latest safety and technology built by leading firm and partner General Sports Surfaces.

Austin, TX – When U.S. Bank Stadium decided they wanted to replace their turf in 2019, they turned to Act Global due to their dedication to player safety and performance. The Vikings played their first nationally televised regular season home game on October 24th against the Washington Redskins.

This removal of the old field and new installation were completed by Act Global’s in-house crew and its partner General Sports Surfaces (GSS). Specializing in offering a full range of athletic surfaces including synthetic turf and running tracks, GSS also offers comprehensive services including design, installation, maintenance, and customer support. The installation included removable panels for event, soccer, and football conversions.

“Act Global is both honored and excited to be the turf supplier for U.S. Bank Stadium and home of the Minnesota Vikings,” Act Global CEO John Baize commented.

“General Sports Surfaces’ installation quality is amazing and could not have done a better job,” Baize added.

“The enormity of US Bank Stadium and the level of NFL talent that performs on this field excited not only me, but every single member of our General Sports Surfaces crew,” President of General Sports Surfaces Hector Puentes said.  “We are extremely proud to have played a role in producing this beautiful playing surface. Our commitment whether it is an NFL, collegiate, or high school field, is to provide a safe yet durable athletic field for athletes.”

Act Global’s synthetic turf system is specifically designed and tested to provide a superior playing surface for athletes geared towards player safety and performance. This proven methodology includes a vast range of quality and durability checks, biomechanical measurements and surface testing.

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About Act Global

Act Global is a world leader in synthetic turf technology with an ISO 9001 Quality Certified manufacturing facility in Calhoun, Georgia, and field installations in over 90 countries. Act Global is a FIFA Quality Licensee and preferred supplier for World Rugby, the International Hockey Federation, and the United Soccer League. The Act Global UBU Speed Series is the leading brand for NFL & NCAA Division I Football Fields has been featured in the New Orleans Superdome 2013, 2017, and 2018, New York Met Life Stadium 2014, and Minneapolis U.S. Bank Stadium 2016 and 2019.

About General Sports Surfaces

General Sports Surfaces are specialists in turn-key sports design and construction of artificial and synthetic grass and turf fields and surfaces for football, baseball and soccer for middle school, high school, college and professional stadiums and facilities. We also build and resurface athletic running tracks. From repairs on your running track and football field, to installation of bleachers and scoreboards of your indoor facility, we are the only true turn-key package when it comes to sports fields and facilities in the region.

General Sports Surfaces started construction on the first installation of the NR34 baseball system created by Act Global and Nolan Ryan led RS3

West Orange TX—Dan R. Hooks Stadium home of the Mustangs will be the first school in the world to have the new state of the art baseball system created and manufactured by Act Global and RS3. The base construction began on both the baseball and softball field in mid-August and the turf will be installed late September.


The NR34 system is similar to what is being used for Act Global stadiums and community fields around the world, optimized specifically for baseball. Performance benefits range from shock absorption, impact, ground interaction, traction, stability, bounce, lower infill splash, durability and UV testing, and more.


The field base construction and turf installation is being done under the direction of General Sports Surfaces of Ft. Worth, TX, that recently installed a new Act Global turf system for the West Orange Stark football field. “It is not often that a company in the synthetic turf industry has the unique opportunity to be the first to do something,” Hector Puentes, CEO of General Sports said. “The baseball and softball fields being installed by General Sports at West Orange Stark High School will not only be the first Act Global NR34 fields in Texas, they will be the first in the entire nation. We are proud to be associated with Act Global and the Nolan Ryan group (RS3),” Puentes continued. “Countless hours of research and testing went into the development of this system, which was designed and tested to emulate the playing conditions of perfectly manicured natural grass baseball and softball fields.”

“The custom line of Nolan Ryan & RS3 Turf is first class,” said Cornel Thompson, Athletic Director of West Orange – Cove CISD. “West Orange – Stark High School is thrilled to be the first school in Texas with this surface on our baseball and softball fields. I am confident our turf will be outstanding!”

“We’re excited to be partnering with West Orange Stark School and congratulate them on being the first field to bear the NR34 name,” said Ryan Sanders Baseball CEO Reese Ryan. “We’re committed to bring the game of baseball to as many people as possible, while keeping player safety at the forefront, and we feel very confident in this product.”

General Sports Surfaces completes the largest synthetic turf project in Oklahoma

OWASSO, OK — General Sports Surfaces, a leading builder and renovator of high-performance athletic surfaces for football, baseball, softball, soccer, and track and field, recently completed the largest synthetic turf installation project in the state of Oklahoma, providing a fresh new look to the athletics facilities at the Owasso Public Schools. GSS installed a new synthetic turf system and multi-purpose synthetic track at the football stadium, a multipurpose synthetic turf system and track surface at the indoor sports facility, and complete field systems at the district’s baseball and softball stadiums.

GSS installed Act Global Xtreme Turf at each of the Owasso sports fields. Each field yielded a different customization depending on the sport. The track installation featured a new NRG track surface.

  • Football Stadium: Features Act Global’s elite-level blended product, the BDX57.
  • Indoor Multi-Sport Facility: Features Act Global’s Xtreme Turf F50 (a slit-film system).
  • Baseball and Softball Stadiums: Feature Act Global’s blended-fiber system with thatch, the Xtreme Turf BDXT 57.
  • Track: Features the NRG 200 Red Structural Spray Surface.

“We are excited about the new field systems and track surfaces that General Sports Surfaces installed at our athletic facilities,” said Zach Duffield, Owasso High School athletic director and the 2018 the National Council of Secondary Schools AD of the Year by the Oklahoma Interscholastic Athletic Administrators Association. “Everything looks great and we have received positive feedback from the athletes and coaches who have used the new fields. Hector (Puentes) and his team at GSS were extremely professional and completed the job on time. Many in the community have taken notice on how much better our athletics facilities look with the new turf systems, so we are extremely happy with the decision we made to go with GSS for our turf and track installations.”

Owasso High School, located in Tulsa County and home to the 2017 Oklahoma 6A-1 state championship football team, along with recent state championships in baseball, girls’ basketball, and boys’ and girls’ golf, undertook a massive facilities improvement project, resulting in Oklahoma’s largest ever single synthetic turf installation project. And the results could not have been better for Owasso.

“This was a great project for us,” said GSS President Hector Puentes. “It’s the largest project of its kind in Oklahoma and we are excited to be able to partner with a great school district such as Owasso. Zach and his team were great to work with and I think the results speak for themselves.”

GSS is a partner of Act Global turf products. Act Global synthetic turf has been installed at more than 1,700+ sports fields worldwide, including 16 Act Global branded NFL fields and more than 200 FIFA-certified fields. Act Global is a USA-based research, manufacturing, and construction firm with a worldwide industry reach and charitable partnerships. Their focus is to elevate player safety and performance as if the athletes were playing on a natural surface but with a more complex shock absorption that prevents major injuries.

ABOUT GENERAL SPORTS SURFACES

General Sports Surfaces (GSS) is a leading installer of high-performance athletic surfaces, offering turn-key construction solutions for football fields, baseball and softball fields, soccer fields, and athletic track and field systems. Whether installing in large NFL stadiums or small community municipalities, GSS is equipped to handle projects of any size. We offer a broad range of services, from repairs to complete surface renovation and installation, to meet the needs of sports facilities at all levels, including schools and school districts, colleges and universities, professional stadiums and facilities, and local municipalities. For more information, visit https://generalsportssurfaces.com/.

ABOUT ACT GLOBAL

Act Global is a world leader in synthetic turf technology and field installations, with fields in over 80 countries. Act Global has supplied its Xtreme Turf synthetic turf to over 600 football fields. Act Global is a FIFA Quality Licensee and preferred supplier for World Rugby, the International Hockey Federation, and the United Soccer League. The Act Global UBU Speed Series is the leading brand for NFL & NCAA Division I Football Fields. Act Global turf systems have been featured in the New Orleans Superdome, New York Met Life Stadium, Houston NRG Stadium, and Minneapolis U.S. Bank Stadium. For more information, visit http://www.actglobal.com.

Advantages of Having a Running Track Surface Installed by GSS

Many take up running as a sport; but to maximize your performance and minimize your risk of injuries, here’s why a running track surface is your best bet.

More and more people are getting hooked into running – we see a lot of people joining marathons, and we see organizations, left and right, conduct runs for a cause. Perhaps this is because running is a very versatile sport, after all it’s a sport that doesn’t require much technical training, and you can practically do it anywhere – be it out on the streets, on a treadmill, on the beach, even at the nearby park in your neighborhood.

Yes, the versatility of running as a sport allows you to run on every type of surface out there, but at the end of the day, a running track surface would still have to be your best option.

This is because running on a track minimizes your risk for injuries. Remember that running naturally brings repetitive stress on your joints, therefore you have to make sure that the surface you are running on is soft, yet sturdy at the same time. All other common surfaces like grass and asphalt are usually either too soft, or too uneven, which pose risks for ankle sprains and other running injuries.

Running on a track also gives you an accurate measure of the distance that you’re running. Having said this, you can keep track of your pacing, your progress, and set specific goals for your training.

If you are looking for running track construction services, General Sports Surfaces can help you in your construction and installation needs.

We, at General Sports Surfaces, have an extensive and unparalleled experience in running track construction, as well as in athletic surface installation. We also provide our customers with essential equipment and the necessary training to properly maintain surface tracks, in order to maximize its performance and optimize its life span.

Contact us today at 817-295-6616

What Are Running Tracks Made Of?

To avoid running injuries such as ankle sprains and tendinitis, running surfaces must be both soft and sturdy. This means that they must be sturdy enough to promote stability, yet soft enough to prevent injuries that occur from overuse, and from the impact that running brings forth.
For a running track to be both soft and sturdy, it needs to be made of the right kind of materials.

Back in the day, running tracks were constructed from asphalt and sand, or even from clay and grass. The problem with these types of running tracks was that they were either too hard or too soft. Today, the newer running tracks are made out of polyurethane, which is considered to be a material that is environmentally friendly, versatile, and non-toxic. The material polyurethane also allows for the running track surface to last long, as it usually requires little upkeep and very minimal repairs.

There are also running tracks today that are made of latex or rubber surfaces, which are able to resist all types of weather, be it very high temperatures or heavy rain. If you want to get in touch with a running track builder or you’re looking for running track installation services, you may contact General Sports Surfaces today.

Do get in touch with us so that we can discuss your needs, and how we can be of service to you. Call us at: 817-295-6616

Sports Surface Maintenance: How to Care for Synthetic Turf

One big advantage of having artificial, synthetic turf is that it doesn’t need watering, reseeding, or mowing the way natural grass does. Because of this, more and more people are beginning to prefer the use of synthetic turfs when it comes to sports construction. However, this doesn’t mean that artificial turf requires absolutely zero maintenance.

At General Sports Surfaces, we recommend that synthetic turfs be cared for and maintained well to ensure that it stays in its quality condition for a prolonged period of time. The number one rule about synthetic turf maintenance is that synthetic turfs need to always be kept clean. Synthetic turfs must be free from any type of debris. Forest Grass suggests using a lawn sweeper, a garden vacuum, or even a leaf blower to effectively clean your artificial turf from fallen leaves, debris, dirt, and dust that accumulate over time. Take note that the presence of organic debris like leaves can promote weed growth, which is something that you have to avoid at all cost.

Another thing that you need to make sure that your synthetic turf is clear of are stains. Classic Backyards actually suggests that the sooner you get rid of the stains, the better. Don’t allow stains to linger on your synthetic turf. If you need to, you can use warm and mild household solutions to brush off hard-to-get-rid-of stains. Lastly, to care for your synthetic turf, rake regularly. This way, the blades of the synthetic turf will be more balanced, allowing the grass to wear off more evenly.

For more information about synthetic turfs, call us at: 817-295-6616

Choosing a Running Track: Track Surface Options

Livestrong tells us that running tracks are actually the oldest forms of athletic equipment. They have been around even earlier than the 1960’s, and have evolved in terms of its technology and make.

It is highly recommended to plan the right kind of running surface for you, because as Sports Surfaces tells us, it is only in so doing that you can achieve long-term satisfaction.

There are several factors to consider when it comes to choosing a running track surface. These include knowing what your budget is, what your financial resources are, what is the level of your athlete’s performance, what are your athlete’s preferences, and what is exactly is your type of use.

In general, track surfaces are made out of cinder, asphalt, or polyurethane. Cinder and clay tracks are considered to be inexpensive, and this is why a lot of facilities install these kinds of running tracks. However, this perceived low cost is likely to backfire on you because maintenance of cinder and clay tracks is usually costly. Plus, they also tend to get soggy during rainy days.

On the other hand, asphalt-bound surfaces are usually unaffected by rain. Asphalt-bound surfaces are then most advisable if you are in an area that rains a lot. This way, your athletes can run in a safe and steady rhythm. However, asphalt tracks tend to become soft during the summer and hard in the winter because it is easily influenced by temperature.

Today, most tracks are made from polyutherane. These are synthetic tracks that can be used both for indoor and outdoor applications. Polyutherane has created a balance between being able to run on a soft surface, while making sure that it is durable. It is important to note that softer surfaces are preferred by athletes because it allows them to run in a safer and faster way. This is because soft surfaces can decrease the likelihood of the occurrence of runner’s injuries.

To help you better decide on the kind of running surface for you, Track and Turf recommends asking the following questions:

What are my facility’s needs?
What is the general philosophy of my facility’s institution?
What sports program level does my school aspire to?
What level of competition do we hope to host?
Will my running track be used for competition only? Or for recreation use?
Who will be using my running track?

Do take note that running on the track that is most suitable for you is critical. Not only will you be able to minimize injuries on your end, but you will also be able to lengthen the lifespan of your tracks.

If you are looking for a running track builder who can provide you will excellent track installation, consider General Sports Surfaces, a . Not only will they be able to provide you with the track surface of your choice, but they will surely be able to help you decide on the kind of running track surface that will benefit you best.

Sports Field Construction: Tips on Building Process

Track field construction along with the construction of any other sports field can be difficult and involves a lot of planning.  If you are serious about football field construction or constructing another type of field, then you need to get the best tips for construction a proper sports field.  We have brought together some of the biggest tips you will need to get the most out of your soccer field builderor other field builder.

The Planning Team

A solid planning team makes the process of creating a sports field much easier.  A variety of parties should be incorporated into the planning team; each one will bring with them their own expertise.  Here are some people that you might want to include in your planning team:

Builder
Landscaper
Maintenance Personnel
Team Coach
Team Doctor
Team Trainer

The input you get from each part of the planning team allows you to make revisions that can save you money and make the field as playable as possible.

Permitting

Almost all locations will require you to obtain permits, make sure that you obtain the proper permits for your field.  Construction permits, field permits, and occupancy permits might just be a few that you need to get.

The Field Turf

When a baseball field builder or another sports field constructor starts a project, one of the biggest questions they are going to ask is what kind of turf you are going to want.  This is a difficult question to answer because you will need turf that will handle the wear and tear of sporting events.

If you are building a sporting field with real turf, the turf itself isn’t as big of a concern as the soil it is being built on.  Soil mechanics is the science of creating the proper soil for each application.  You want to get a high-quality soil for your field because you want the turf layer to get good roots.  This will help to prevent the field from getting overly damaged.  The main drawback to a traditional turf field is that it requires a lot of upkeep and maintenance.

Some sports fields opt for synthetic turf materials such as AstroTurf.  AstroTurf can be great because it doesn’t need to be watered and there is less maintenance needed.  Because AstroTurf is artificial it is more durable and that increases playability while reducing injuries.  However, AstroTurf does have its downsides.  AstroTurf can be a heat hazard in some locations.  There is also a concern over the cleanliness and safety of artificial material that does not clean easily.

Construction Process

Hiring a builder can be difficult but here are a few things to consider.  You will want a construction company that is willing to meet with you regularly, so having a local office is the best.  You will also want them to warranty their work so that the process is safe guarded against anything happening.  Make sure that former clients have good reviews of the company.

Consider Maintenance

During the building process, you should take into consideration that you will need to conduct regular maintenance on the field.  The field should be built to accommodate this.  Taking notes during the construction process can help you to know in more detail what kind of maintenance will need to be done.  More importantly, you will be able to spot any parts of the field that might need to be reworked because they will make maintenance too difficult.

The Cost

A lot of people will look at the cost of building a sports field and start to look for ways to cut corners.  Cutting costs can be bad in both the long run and the short run, though.  The sports field is your players’ office, where they perform most of their work.  If you cut costs your players will be without a high-quality office, that means that the field may be left with many problems that make it hard for players to perform optimally. It can also leave you with more costs down the road for repair or injuries.

Building a sports field isn’t a small project but it doesn’t have to be a difficult one.  With these tips, you are already a step ahead of where you were before.  You can start to move on in the planning process and get the field that your players need to succeed.

Effective Repair and Maintenance of Track Surfaces

The repair and maintenance of tracks used for running are critical to the quality of your athletes’ performance as well as the durability of your track. Effective repair and maintenance decreases the chances of injury of your athletes, and promotes track surface sustainability.

According to track installation professionals, constant vigilance is key to effective repair and maintenance of running track surfaces.

At the very foundation of repair and maintenance of running tracks is a disciplined inspection of the track. Remember, you need to constantly be on the lookout for even the smallest maintenance items. Even the smallest of all things, when left untended, over time, can demand a huge repair.

It’s true that synthetic running tracks are considered to be “all-weather” tracks.They don’t need a lot of maintenance in the sense that you don’t have to worry too much about flood, mud, and algae during rainy seasons. However, do keep in mind that such tracks still require constant inspection, in order for it to provide effective preventive maintenance. You can’t afford not to pay attention to it from the time of your running track’s construction.

The number one thing that you need to do during preventive maintenance of tracks is to make sure that the track surface is always clean. There must be no grass, dirt, gravel, or other forms of debris on it. It is possible for these debris to get grounded in, and eventually cause damage to the your running track’s material, and even cause the growth of weeds.

Track surfaces must also always be free of water. While it is true that synthetic running tracks can drain water especially when it rains, they cannot handle excess water. Common sources of excess water are field sprinklers, which may spray onto the track, causing the accumulation of far too much water than the track was designed to handle.

Another key to effective repair and maintenance is to never delay in getting in touch with track professionals for any repair that the track needs. Remember that your track surfaces are intricately designed, and made of sophisticated running track material,all in an effort to facilitate high performance for your athletes. Therefore, it is critical that your repairs are done not only immediately, but most importantly by track professionals rather than facility operators.

If you would like to avail of running track maintenance services, as well as running track surface construction and installation, get in touch with us, General Sports Surfaces, at 817-295-6616.

Parts of a Soccer Field: A Primer

Soccer is known to be one of the most popular team sports in the world.
Central to understanding the rules of the game is knowing the different parts of a soccer field.

The parts of a soccer field are as follows:

Center Circle
The center circle is a circle at the center of the field. It measures 9.15m in radius. At the very center of this center circle is the center spot, where the kickoffs are taken in order to start or restart the game.

Halfway Line
The halfway line divides the soccer field into two equal areas, and the halfway line goes through the center spot. The halfway line is also known as the midfield line or the centerline.

Penalty Area
The penalty area is marked by a rectangle, wherein the goalkeeper is allowed to use his or her hands to catch the soccer ball. It is called the penalty area because it houses the penalty mark, wherein during fouls, the violator is awarded a penalty kick from that spot.

Corner Arc
Corner arcs are the semi-circles on the four corners of the field where corner kicks are made. Each corner arc measures 1 yard radially. In each of these corner arcs, a corner flag is placed.

Goal Box
Inside the penalty area is the goal box, which measures six yards in width and 20 yards in length. The goal box is the area where goal kicks are taken.

Goal
The goal is made up two upright posts joined by a horizontal cross bar, placed right in between the two corner flag posts. They are typically made of wood or metal.

Touch Line
Touchlines are also known as sidelines. This sets the boundary for the entire soccer playing field.

Pitch
The entire soccer field is also called the pitch.
When it comes to soccer fields, the important considerations are not just the parts, but also the dimensions of the soccer field. This is because the rules of soccer have been written and codified, and thus require strict implementation. FIFA, which is the international governing body for football, ensures that all rules and requirements of soccer, which includes soccer field dimensions, are followed.

This is why when it comes to the construction of soccer fields, it is important to seek the services of professionals. A professional provider of sports surfaces is General Sports Surfaces. They offer services on sports surface construction and maintenance, be it soccer fields, track surfaces, football fields, or baseball fields.

Regardless of the sport surface, General Sports Surfaces is your go-to professional for all of your soccer field construction and maintenance needs.