Update, June 15:
Crews have completed turf replacement work on Field No. 2, and it will soon be available for play again. The contractor is currently working on Field No. 1 and will be moving to Field No. 3 and 4 in the coming weeks.
Starting Monday, June 19, the nearby overflow parking lot will be used for equipment and material storage. We apologize for any temporary inconvenience.
Play continues on the fields at the J.B. Lewis Soccer Complex while the turf replacement project is under way.
Original story:
Great news, soccer players and ABYSA parents: The planned turf replacement at the John B. Lewis Soccer Complex gets under way this week!
And soccer games will go on during this project, as only two fields per time will be under construction. So play can continue while the City installs a new synthetic turf that will offer safe cushioning for our athletes.
The JBL Soccer Complex, which opened in 2005, serves as a regional sports tourism destination, with more than 500,000 park visitors and serves more than 7,000 youth and adult soccer players annually. The original turf has exceeded its expected 10 year lifespan and its condition posed some safety concerns for park users.
The turf replacement project represents a $2 million investment made possible with the contribution of $1.45 million from the Asheville Buncombe Youth Soccer Association (ABYSA), which includes a $1.1 million grant from the Buncombe County Tourism Development Authority (TDA). At its April 25 meeting, City Council authorized allocation of $755,565 plus a contingency of $187,000 for a total of $942,565 toward replacement of the soccer fields turf. Altogether, the $2 million will pay for removal of the old turf, purchase of new turf materials and their installation.
The timeframe for the turf replacement project us from May 22 to July 28.
In addition to replacing the old turf with new synthetic turf with an infill of rubber and sand mixture, the construction crew will fine-grade the surface of the fields to restore gentle and even slopes. They will also improve the stormwater drainage system within the fields.
This project went before the City’s Recreation Board and Public Safety Committee in March, both of which recommended its approval by City Council. It aligns with Council’s 2036 Vision in the Smart City priority by demonstrating the City’s commitment to maintain and improve City facilities.
The contractor will begin work on Fields 1 and 2 (north of the restroom) initially and then move to Fields 3 and 4 (south of the restroom).
So pardon our dust while workers make this important improvement to the soccer fields. And remember, play will continue!