The Oregon Episcopal School has upgraded its athletic infrastructure with new, sustainably-focused surfaces for its field and track. The educational institution tapped AstroTurf's RootZone GT-B Blend, which has received a USDA certification for its incorporation of plant-derived and renewable materials. Surrounding this field is a Rekortan running track from a related product line, which utilizes a gel layer composed largely of renewable and recycled content.
The Oregon Episcopal School's upgrade stands out as the first in its geographic region to use this specific turf system and the first nationally to combine two separate athletic surfaces that both hold the USDA BioPreferred designation. The track surface is engineered to provide 58% energy return to athletes, which may serve to enhance athletic performance and mitigate the risk of injuries associated with harder surfaces.
Image Credit: Oregon Episcopal School
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Sustainable Athletic Infrastructure
- The integration of plant-derived and renewable materials into sports surfaces exemplifies the growing trend toward eco-friendly athletic facilities.
- Biopreferred Certification in Sports
- The adoption of USDA BioPreferred designated surfaces highlights a shift towards environmentally certified materials in athletic environments.
- Energy-returning Sports Surfaces
- Athletic tracks engineered for enhanced energy return illustrate advancements in performance-enhancing, injury-reducing sports technology.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Eco-friendly Sports Flooring
- The use of renewable and recycled materials in athletic surfaces signals transformative change in the sports flooring industry.
- Sustainable Educational Facilities
- Institutions like schools investing in sustainable athletic infrastructure reflect the broader education sector's commitment to environmentally responsible practices.
- Performance-enhancing Sports Technology
- Developments in surfaces that offer energy return indicate innovation within the industry focused on enhancing athletic performance and safety.
