In the spring of 1999, Creighton University officials deemed the original artificial turf on both the baseball and softball fields to be unplayable and undertook the task of reconstructing the entire complex. As a part of this reconstruction process, although under a separate contract, the decision was made by the Athletic Department to also include the construction of an indoor batting facility, complete with locker rooms and an alumni area.
Ehrhart Griffin & Associates was retained by the University to assist in the development of a preliminary design of the field layout, from which we issued a scope of work description for all interested artificial turf vendors to base their proposal. The preliminary design was based upon a Master Plan Ehrhart Griffin & Associates had prepared for the University in 1994.
Safeplay International, in partnership with Precept Builders, was selected by the University to develop final design documents and construct the facility. Ehrhart Griffin & Associates was retained by Safeplay International to develop final construction documents, perform construction surveying, and to assist in construction observations and management.
Final design issues included the abandonment of a public sewer beneath the proposed indoor facility, the conversion of a combined sewer into a storm only sewer beneath the baseball field, and the implementation of a storm drain system and proper site grades to correct a significant drainage problem that had plagued the complex since the original construction. The new storm system utilized the storm sewer installed in the previous infield replacement project of 1995. All field and dugout improvements were designed after close coordination with the Athletic Department, coaching staffs and the facilities management group of Creighton University.
All surveys and construction documents were prepared with state-of-the-art electronic surveying and computer aided drafting and design (CADD) equipment and systems. The project was completed in August, 1999.
