Pickard Field: Brunswick's Aviation Hub

Pickard Field is an athletic complex in Brunswick, Maine, belonging to Bowdoin College. The college has been planning significant upgrades to the complex, including the installation of three artificial turf fields, new lighting, and seating. The $15 million project will benefit student-athletes by solving scheduling issues caused by a lack of practice space. However, some Brunswick residents have expressed concerns about the potential impact of the upgrades on the surrounding neighbourhood, particularly regarding increased light, noise, and chemical pollution.

The $15 million project

The project aims to address long-needed improvements to the existing outdoor facilities at the complex, which will benefit varsity, club, and intramural athletic experiences. The upgrades include the installation of three artificial turf fields, 21 new light stanchions, and additional seating. The addition of lights will allow for evening practices and games for soccer, rugby, baseball, and softball, reducing conflicts with afternoon classes and labs.

A multipurpose turf field will provide a year-round, lighted recreation space for various sports and serve as a foul-weather game location for soccer and rugby. The softball and baseball facilities will receive upgrades, including field turf playing surfaces, accessible seating, press boxes, new dugouts, clay and turf bullpens, and double-occupancy batting cages. The baseball facility will also feature a scoreboard built into a 17-foot-high left-field wall.

The project will also include a new rugby facility with a natural sod grass playing surface, lights, accessible seating, and a press box for both the women's and men's rugby teams. Additionally, a new multipurpose grass field will provide a practice surface for soccer teams in the fall and for intramural and club playing fields in the spring.

The $15 million price tag for the project has sparked some controversy among Brunswick residents, who have expressed concerns about light, noise, and chemical pollution resulting from the upgrades. Residents worry about the potential impact on the surrounding neighbourhood and the unknown effects of artificial turf, particularly the possible exposure to PFAS chemicals, which have been linked to cancer.

College officials, however, maintain that the project is necessary to improve the experience for student-athletes and solve longstanding scheduling problems caused by a lack of practice space in early spring. They also emphasize that the plans are not finalized and that they are actively researching the impact of synthetic turf to address the concerns raised by the community.

Installation of three artificial turf fields

The following steps outline the process of installing three artificial turf fields, similar to those at Pickard Field in Brunswick, ME, which underwent renovations to improve the athletic experiences of students at Bowdoin College.

Step 1: Clear the Area

Begin by removing any existing grass, roots, mulch, or other obstacles that could impact the artificial turf. This includes digging out the existing soil to a depth of 2-4 inches, depending on the desired base level for your turf.

Step 2: Prepare the Base

After clearing the area, spread a layer of class two road base or aggregate, such as gravel or crushed stone, to create a level platform. This layer should be approximately 2-3 inches thick and will help ensure proper drainage. Lightly wet the area and use a compactor to create a smooth base.

Step 3: Add a Weed Barrier (Optional)

To prevent weeds from growing through your turf, you can add a weed barrier on top of the base layer. This fabric should be porous to allow for drainage and should be secured with galvanized nails or landscape anchors.

Step 4: Lay the Turf

Let the grass sit in the sun for 30-60 minutes to expand. Ensure that the blades and stitch patterns are facing the same way, then roll out the turf. Use a carpet kicker to stretch and manoeuvre the turf into place. Cut the turf to fit the unique shape of your field, using a box cutter.

Step 5: Secure the Seams

Use seam tape and glue to secure the seams between different rolls of turf. Ensure that the blades of each piece of turf are oriented the same way and that the space between stitch rows matches.

Step 6: Secure the Perimeter

Tuck in the border of the turf with a putty knife and hammer, then secure it with non-galvanized turf nails placed every 6 inches. Reinforce the seams by placing a handful of nails along them.

Step 7: Brush the Turf

Before adding infill, use a power or push broom to brush the turf and stand the blades up straighter. This will create a more vertical blade memory and enhance the appearance of your field.

Step 8: Spread the Infill

Spread infill, such as silica sand, over the entire surface of the turf. Infill weighs down the fabric, keeps it in place, and supports the grass blades, giving them a more natural look.

Step 9: Enjoy Your New Field

Once the infill is in place and you've brushed the turf one last time, your new artificial turf field is ready for use! Enjoy the benefits of a low-maintenance, year-round playing surface.

21 new light stanchions

Pickard Field is an athletic complex at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. The college recently announced plans for improvements and renovations to the existing outdoor facilities at the complex, which will benefit varsity, club, and intramural athletic experiences.

One of the long-needed improvements is the addition of lights, which will allow for evening practices and games for soccer, rugby, baseball, and softball, reducing conflicts with afternoon classes and labs. However, the installation of high-intensity outdoor lighting has sparked anger and frustration among neighbours of the College, who are concerned about the potential impact on the environment and their quality of life, including increased noise and light pollution.

Light stanchions are an important component of any outdoor lighting system, and 21 new light stanchions could provide a range of benefits to the Pickard Field complex. Firstly, they can improve safety by illuminating potential hazards and barriers, making it easier for people to navigate the space, especially during evening practices and games. Additionally, light stanchions can enhance the accessibility of the complex by providing clear pathways and guiding visitors to specific areas, such as the point of sale or entry.

Furthermore, light stanchions can be used to great effect in marketing and branding. Multi-coloured LED light stanchions, for example, can be customised to display specific colours associated with a brand or label, attracting attention and providing a unique visual experience for visitors. This can be especially beneficial for the College in promoting its athletic facilities and creating a modern and innovative image.

Finally, light stanchions can contribute to the overall atmosphere of the complex, particularly during evening events. With various lighting setups and finishes available, the College can create a vibrant and exciting ambiance for athletic events, engaging both athletes and spectators alike.

In conclusion, the addition of 21 new light stanchions to the Pickard Field athletic complex has the potential to not only improve functionality and safety but also enhance the College's branding and marketing efforts, creating a memorable experience for all who visit.

Seating

The Pickard Theatre, located at 1 Bath Road, Brunswick, Maine, has a seating capacity of 600. The theatre offers a range of seating options, including theatre-style seating in the balcony and main floor sections. The seating chart allows patrons to choose seats closer to the orchestra or opt for upgraded seats and suite bundles. The theatre also offers accessible seating for patrons with disabilities, with wheelchair locations available in Box AA and Row S.

The theatre boasts a striking Gothic-style granite and stained-glass exterior, housing a proscenium stage with a full fly system. The venue is known for its excellent acoustics, ensuring a comfortable and enjoyable experience for all guests. The theatre is also equipped with assisted listening devices, which are available free of charge at the front desk in the lobby.

The seating arrangement at the Pickard Theatre provides an intimate and engaging experience for the audience. The theatre welcomes latecomers and ensures that they are seated at an appropriate break in the performance. Additionally, the theatre offers a range of ticket prices, with seats further away from the stage and higher in the balcony being the most affordable, while premium seats near the orchestra can cost more.

The Pickard Theatre is committed to accessibility and ensures that all guests can enjoy the productions. The theatre provides accessible parking on a first-come, first-served basis and offers a complimentary shuttle service for matinee performances. With its range of seating options and accessibility features, the Pickard Theatre offers a versatile and inclusive space for a variety of performances and events.

Softball facility

Pickard Field is an athletic complex at Bowdoin College in Brunswick, Maine. The college has been working on a $15 million renovation project to improve the outdoor facilities at the complex, which will benefit varsity, club, and intramural athletic experiences. The softball facility at Pickard Field is a key part of these improvements.

The softball facility at Pickard Field will include a range of new features to enhance the experience for players and spectators alike. The playing surface will be upgraded to a field turf surface, providing a consistent and high-quality playing area. Accessible seating will be installed, ensuring that the facility is inclusive and can be enjoyed by all members of the community. A press box will also be added, providing a dedicated space for media and commentary during games.

The softball facility will also feature new dugouts, offering players a comfortable and functional space to prepare for the game. Both clay and turf bullpens will be available, providing options for practice and warm-up. A new double-occupancy batting cage will allow for efficient and effective batting practice. These improvements will provide the softball team with modern and well-equipped facilities, elevating their training and gameplay experience.

The addition of lights at the softball facility is another significant enhancement. Evening practices and games will be made possible, reducing conflicts with afternoon classes and labs. This lighting feature will benefit not only the softball team but also other sports teams at the college, including soccer, rugby, and baseball. The lighting will extend the usable hours of the facility, accommodating a wider range of practice and game schedules.

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