Sodexo Turf Management Team Implements Innovative 'Dry-jecting' Solution to Combat Flooding
The soccer fields at Lake Forest Academy were dry enough to host COPA America and US Women's National Soccer Team athletes this summer thanks to Sodexo
GAITHERSBURG, Md., Oct. 10, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Students at Lake Forest Academy (LFA) are now playing soccer on fields that hosted world-class athletes earlier this summer after innovative ideas from world leader in Quality of Life services, Sodexo, and its turf management team solved the field's flooding problem.
Lake Forest's beautiful, lush fields sit on top of a solid section of compacted clay, which previously caused severe flooding during rains, making the fields unplayable. The lack of topsoil meant traditional aeration methods didn't solve the flooding problem. Deeper aeration using long tines would run the risk of puncturing the irrigation water pipes that run fairly shallow underneath the field.
So Sodexo's team at the school, including grounds manager Danny Volbrecht and director of operations Pat Dolan, did more research. Volbrecht discovered a new technique called dry-jecting. The DryJect process uses pressurized water, instead of spikes or tines, to aerate the soil up to ten inches deep. The team implemented this solution, followed by injecting a soil amendment made of sand and ceramic granules. The new technique stopped the flooding without damaging the pipes.
"These two guys are the hardest working people I have ever worked with," said Lake Forest Academy athletic director Darrin Madeley. "Their attention to detail and making sure the faculty and the students at LFA get the best campus possible is incredible."
With improved irrigation, the school was able to contract with COPA America, the leading global soccer tournament, to host practices for teams over the summer. The school also hosted the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team for a scrimmage one week prior to their trip to the Olympics in Brazil. Now, at the start of the new school year, the LFA community and its students can play hard and have fun on a flood-free soccer field, come rain or shine.
Sodexo delivers more than 100 services across North America that enhance organizational performance, contribute to local communities and improve quality of life. The Fortune Global 500 company is a leader in delivering sustainable, integrated facilities management and foodservice operations.
Learn more about Sodexo at its corporate blog, Sodexo Insights.
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SOURCE Sodexo
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