![Facility Feature: Arizona Cardinals Practice Center]()
by Shelby Becker
Originally constructed in 1990, the Arizona Cardinals training facility was designed to stand at the forefront of the sustainability movement. This extremely forward thinking mentality and future-oriented approach helped craft the 96,000 sq ft, Tempe, Arizona center. Outfitted with ample natural lighting to reduce the need for artificial light and ventilation utilizing moist air current created by outdoor irrigation, the facility dramatically reduced its need for electricity throughout the day. In addition, a 300′ wall of terracotta chimney flue tile protects the floor to ceiling glass from the harsh west sun, keeping the facility cooler.
In 2015, the entire facility received upgrades to adapt it to improved use of state of the art technology, as well as enhanced space for rest, recovery, and nutrition. Because the original training campus was designed so well, these upgrades focused on expanding communal areas so that players could spend more time together off the field-developing the feeling of a “team”.
In 2013, one of the three natural grass fields at the facility was converted to synthetic turf and enclosed within a climate controlled, an air-supported structure named “the bubble”. The team saw a need for a field that was playable in all weather and that required minimal maintenance while extending playing hours. This is especially important throughout annual training camps where players spend entire days practicing and training. The turf selected is now a branch of Act Global as is recognized within the industry for its safety and performance to help protect against high impacts.
Learn how our synthetic turf is beneficial to athletes.
Be sure to keep up to date on all of our turf projects and more by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
![Facility Feature: Arizona Cardinals Practice Center]()
by Shelby Becker
Act Global’s resident guitar enthusiast had the opportunity to visit Leo Fender’s high school alma mater while checking out two recently completed fields on site.
Photo by Sam Gangwer, Orange County Register/SCNG
This year we had the opportunity to work with our California partner KYA to renovate Fullerton Union High School’s football and multipurpose fields. The renovations were the first to the stadium since the 1970’s and concluded in September, just in time for football season. A few weeks ago Mark, our design specialist for the project, had the opportunity to travel to Fullerton to observe his conception in physical form. As an enthusiast guitar collector, Mark soon became aware that Fullerton Union, a school with 100+ year history, helped educate one of the biggest names in guitar history: Leo Fender.
Fender was an inventor who specialized in the design of electric guitars. Born and raised in the city of Fullerton, Fender attended Fullerton Union High School from 1924-1928. With a devout interest in electronics and a modest history in radio and guitar builds, Leo Fender crafted his first electric guitar prototype in 1949. He quickly diversified and expanded, engineering bass guitars, amplifiers, and electric guitars that solved several functional and stylistic problems he recognized within the industry. The products of Fender’s design are still widely used and sought after today. In 1992 Leo Fender was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, despite never having learned to play the instruments he built.
While Mark was touring Fullerton Union High School, he was blown away that a guitar legend that he has looked up to used the same sports facilities and walked the same hallways 90 years prior. The school is also within walking distance of Fender’s first factory and the Fullerton Museum.
Be sure to keep up to date on all of our turf projects and more by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
![Facility Feature: Arizona Cardinals Practice Center]()
by Shelby Becker
A synthetic turf field is an investment in your team. An artificial grass system allows athletes to play longer and is engineered to offer specific safety benefits while withstanding heavy use and all types of weather. However, not all synthetic turf is created equal. High use and heavy UV exposure can cause lower quality products to degrade over time, causing breaking and splitting of the “grass” fibers, fading color, reduced strength, and overall poor performance. Act Global turf is crafted to overcome these deficiencies with maximum UV protection, proven and tested to defy the hottest and driest climates in the world.
With installations covering six continents and more than 80 countries across the world, Act Global turf has been exposed to climates with the highest UV concentrations. In addition to the extensive number of references, over 100 laboratory tests have proven the performance of Act Global synthetic turf to exceed industry standards. In a climate test designed to assess tensile strength, Act Global turf underwent artificial weathering and 3,000 hours of UVA/UVB exposure. UVB, a harsher ray than UVA, is not required for industry testing. The results revealed both the monofilament and SPC fibers were almost a 100% more resilient in color and tensile retention-exceeding industry standards for FIFA, IRB, STC, FIH, and EN 15330-1. The fibers also had less color change than what is required by the FIFA standard. Seven popular yarns colors in addition to green have passed climate testing to achieve lasting durability, performance and color stability in all climates.
These tests prove that in addition to the functional and safety benefits of Act Global synthetic turf, you can be assured that our artificial grass will remain vibrant and colorful for the lifetime of the field. Act Global turf is engineered with UV protection to ensure that every line marking, logo, and end zone remains vivid and genuine.
Learn about Act Global sports turf.
Be sure to keep up to date on all of our turf projects and more by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
![Facility Feature: Arizona Cardinals Practice Center]()
by Shelby Becker
Photo Credit: Christopher Columbus High School
Christopher Columbus High School is a private college preparatory institution that has worked since 1958 to encourage and nurture the growth of a student in heart, mind, and body. The 21st-century adept campus is located in Miami, Florida and encompasses 8 academic buildings. The school has established itself as a facility that is second to none, offering a unique blend of technology-infused educational approaches, career-focused curriculum pathways, and exceptional extracurricular opportunities. The school offers 16 varsity level sports that compete in Florida’s 9A level.
The Columbus Varsity Explorers are currently gearing up for their second round of playoffs which will take place tomorrow (11/16) on their home turf. The team dominated their first playoff game, earning a 50-0 win last Friday and progressing their current record of the season to 9-1. The Explorers are also undefeated at home for the season-an advantage that will hopefully continue in their match against South Dade High School.
Photo Credit: Christopher Columbus High School
In the recent years since Christopher Columbus High School renovated their football field, the team has never not made it to the semifinals of playoffs. This is in addition to a long history of outstanding performance that includes consistently making it to the semifinals as well as competed for the state title 3 years ago. The Act Global-manufactured synthetic turf surface is a professional-quality system that is distinctly engineered to offer superior player safety and comfort. The artificial grass is composed of balancing system components to improve foot stability and foot interaction with the surface, prevent ligament stress and allow safe starts and stops, and reduce player fatigue and injury. With the backing of over 100 laboratory tests and benchmarks against the top natural grass field (Texas A&M), Act Global synthetic turf is proven to both protect players and remain a durable surface for years. This allows the Explorers to be confident that the surface they are playing on is consistent.
You are able to watch the game live streamed tomorrow night here.
Good luck to the Explorers!
Learn how our synthetic turf is beneficial to athletes.
Be sure to keep up to date on all of our turf projects and more by following us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
![Facility Feature: Arizona Cardinals Practice Center]()
by Shelby Becker
Photo Credit: US Air Force Academy
Last month the United States Air Force Academy earned its 31st consecutive victory in the 2017 National Intercollegiate Flying Association (NIFA) Region 1 competition. The regional competition took place October 9-October 13 in Colorado Springs, Colorado at the US Air Force Academy Airfield.
NFIA is a professional organization that is devoted to developing and advancing aviation education for students across the US by providing an opportunity for competition. Each competition is held periodically throughout the year and is divided by region. The Air Force Academy competes in Region 1, which also includes Colorado Northwestern Community College, Metropolitan State University of Denver, Rocky Mountain College, Utah State University, Utah Valley University, and Westminster College.
The regional competition consisted of both academic and flying tests that are used to gauge knowledge of flight rules, aircraft identification, and cross-country planning with in-air analysis of navigation, landing, and message dropping abilities. The Air Force Academy’s flight team is committed performing well at the event- Harrison Summerour, a member of the team, said they “dedicate a tremendous amount of time, many hours a week, and even some of our class schedule to being on this team”.
Photo Credit: US Air Force Academy
Congratulations to the Air Force Academy’s team on a well-deserved win last month! We’re proud to play a part in the training of Air Force Academy pilots through their synthetic turf landing strip. The sailplane landing area has served the school since 2011 where about 50% of cadets from each class begin courses in soaring sailplanes and glider jets.
Good luck to the Air Force Academy’s Flight Team on future competitions!
Shelby Becker is a creative content creator and marketing specialist at Act Global. She’s an animal rights activist, avid concert-goer, and scary movie enthusiast. Follow her on LinkedIn .
For more information, contact marketing at sbecker@actglobal.com
