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Tracks & Sports
New Track and Football Facility
Numerous design alternatives explored for School's New track and football facility
Project Owner:
Wagner Community School District
Key Experiences:
- Analysis of numerous design alternatives for track section and football field
- Coordination with school, architect, and contractor throughout design and construction
- Cement stabilized sub-grade under track and football field due to unsuitable soils
Key Features:
- New 8-lane running track and facilities for long/triple jump, pole vault, and high jump
- Artificial turf football field with interior drainage system and cement stabilized sub-grade
- Renovations inside the school, including updates to the locker rooms, shop, and pool area
The Wagner, SD Community School District decided it was time to upgrade their track and football facility and to complete renovations inside the school. DGR Engineering (DGR) teamed with Puetz Design + Build to provide solutions to meet the school district’s needs. DGR completed the civil design work for the new track and football field, and Puetz Design + Build planned the building renovations.
The school's previous track had deteriorated and experienced many cracks due to aging, poor sub-grade soils, and inadequate drainage. A geotechnical investigation was completed early in the design process to determine the quality of the underlying soils. Five different options were analyzed and presented to the school for the granular and soil section below the new asphalt track. Each alternative was evaluated based on estimated cost, anticipated frost movement, and quality of drainage. Ultimately it was decided to proceed with a cement stabilized sub-grade, an 18-inch-thick layer of non-frost susceptible drainage fill, and an aggregate base course under the new asphalt and polyurethane track surface. The proposed section will limit frost movement and provide improved drainage.
A new drainage system was installed along the interior of the track to improve drainage under the track and within the football field. The system consists of perforated polyethylene pipe around the perimeter of the field and panel drains that run across the field to remove moisture from the granular base.
The school wanted to explore the possibility of installing an artificial turf football field in lieu of a natural grass field. DGR assisted in the decision-making process by preparing a life-cycle cost analysis for each alternative. The artificial turf field was ultimately chosen because the field can be used significantly more times throughout the year versus a natural turf field, and the long-term maintenance costs will be less even though there is a higher initial cost.
This project also included concrete curbing along the track edge, new chain link fence around the perimeter of the facility with a concrete mow strip, two pole vault runways and a landing area, four long/triple jump runways and landing pits, a paved “D” area within the track for high jump, new goal posts, renovations in the school, and much more.
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Control Systems & Automation
Our team of experts can cater custom SCADA solutions for any size project.
Land Acquisition Services
DGR Engineering offers a “one-stop shop” for planning, designing, permitting, right-of-way and easement acquisition services, and construction administration needs.
Water Treatment Plant Improvement
The improvements delivered a cost‑effective, long‑term solution that enhanced reliability, met regulatory requirements, and advanced system capacity goals.
Northwest Iowa
Project planning by Augustana University and DGR Engineering to upgrade Bowden Field to a championship level began in 2018, and eventually culminated in a new facility which opened for the 2023 season.
The biggest challenge: fitting a new modern facility within the existing field’s footprint (circa 1991). To achieve this, home plate was shifted approximately 12 feet south to maintain existing fencing dimensions and provide room for chair back seating and a fan suite/press box behind home plate. Also, an extended planning process was necessary to balance donation momentum with the university’s facility expectations for a championship-level facility.
The final project plan balanced design goals with the funding while utilizing bid alternates for several features to allow the University flexibility in decision-making in the following areas:
• Lighting
• Outfield padding
• Dugout Cabinets
• Press box lift
• Home team dugout kitchenette
• Chairback seating – Potential future addition space
The final result is a state-of-the-art facility that all parties can be proud of and that will serve the needs of Augustana University’s softball team and its fans for many years.
Track & Field Facility Improvements
Coordination with multiple entities leads to successful school district project
Parkston, SD Improves Track and Field Facilities for 2018-2019 Season
Project Owner:
Parkston, SD School District
Key Experience:
- Full track and field expansion while maintaining existing football field
- Coordination with owner, architect, contractor
- Unsuitable sub-grade requiring a specific track section based on soil conditions
Key Features:
- New facility with 8-lane track, long jump, triple jump, high jump, shot put, discus and pole vault facilities
- New grandstand with crow’s nest, concession stand and bathrooms
- Drainage improvements within the track
The Parkston, SD School District wanted to upgrade their facilities to replace existing track, field event areas, and grandstand. DGR Engineering (DGR) teamed up with Puetz Corporation to work with the school district on solutions to meet their needs. DGR designed the track and field layout, and Puetz Corp. planned the grandstand portion of the project.
Lack of proper drainage around the track had led to major cracks and the track’s surface was deteriorating. Soil borings indicated highly saturated and frost susceptible soil conditions underneath the track. Based on information from the geotechnical report and discussions with the architect and school district, the track area was subcut 3’ so suitable drainage fill could be brought in to minimize frost/heave and drainage issues. If not addressed, these issues could ultimately lead to shifting and cracking of the new track surface.
Drainage adjacent to the track was improved to enhance runoff and extend the life of the new track. Track lane markings put the finishing touch on the ½” rubberized mat surface placed over 3.5” of asphalt pavement.
The old facility featured an eight-lane track with 36” wide lanes. The old track and grandstands were removed, and lane width was increased to 42”. With this new wider lane width, Parkston School District will be eligible to host regional meets.
New grandstands were installed, along with all new field event facilities. To accommodate the wider lane widths, the track had to be shifted within the site constraints to maintain the existing football field and light poles and to minimize additional costs to the school district.
Featured Projects
- All
- Aviation
- Civil
- Electrical Power
- Survey
- Water & Wastewater
Control Systems & Automation
Our team of experts can cater custom SCADA solutions for any size project.
Land Acquisition Services
DGR Engineering offers a “one-stop shop” for planning, designing, permitting, right-of-way and easement acquisition services, and construction administration needs.
Water Treatment Plant Improvement
The improvements delivered a cost‑effective, long‑term solution that enhanced reliability, met regulatory requirements, and advanced system capacity goals.
Northwest Iowa
DGR has performed the planning and design of multiple athletic tracks and sports complexes for several communities in the region. The competition facilities are used by little leaguers up to NAIA college events.
Track renovations include overlaying or replacing existing base pavement and drainage. Most tracks are finished with a striped polyurethane all-weather surface.
Tennis court construction varies between 2 or 4 courts with new fencing and surfacing. The courts are usually a reinforced concrete pavement covered with a multi-layer surface.
Baseball & softball diamond layouts include varying configurations that are fan friendly and maximize the use of available space and allow for proper drainage.
Soccer field complexes vary in layout and sizes to maximize the viewing of the variety of ages and playing abilities.
Clients:
• Augustana University in Sioux Falls, SD
• Sioux Center, Dordt University
• Northwestern College, Orange City, IA Dordt College in Sioux Center, IA
• Hull, IA High School
• Sioux City, IA High School
• Sioux Center, IA Baseball Field Improvements
• Sioux Center, IA High School Track and Field Improvements
• Sioux Center, IA Soccer Field Improvements
• Sioux Center, IA Tennis Court Improvements
• Orange City, IA Track and Field Improvements
• Rock Rapids, IA Central Lyon Schools Track and Field Improvement
• City of Rock Rapids, IA Soccer Complex
• City of Rock Rapids, IA Baseball and Softball Complex
• Luverne, MN Schools
• Welcome, MN Schools
• Windom, MN Schools Tennis Facilities
• Bridgewater, SD Schools Track and Field
• Parkston, SD Schools Track and Field
• Woonsocket, SD Schools Track and Field
• Wagner, SD Schools Track and Field
• City of Sioux Falls, SD Burnside Park Baseball Fields
• Crooks, SD Field Improvements (volunteer)