The Kansas City Wizards today announced a long-term, exclusive field-building partnership with industry leaders FieldTurf Tarkett and FIELDS, Inc. FieldTurf Tarkett will supply FieldTurf, the most innovative turf technology, for all synthetic fields constructed by the Kansas City Wizards and ownership group OnGoal, LLC. Sports Fields, Inc. DBA FIELDS will become the exclusive builder of all fields developed by the Wizards and OnGoal, both natural and synthetic.
"We are extremely pleased to be partnering with the world's finest artificial surface manufacturer in FieldTurf Tarkett and the premier sports field construction company in FIELDS on long-term agreements," Wizards Vice President of Development David Ficklin said. "This partnership ensures we will be able execute our vision of constructing world-class fields for both our players and the community for years to come."
"We are honored that a first-class organization like the Kansas City Wizards has chosen FieldTurf for such a significant investment into the Kansas City community," David Moszkowski, FieldTurf Tarkett CEO said. "Whether you play for the Wizards or a local youth soccer team, you will have the comfort of knowing that you are on the safest, most accepted synthetic turf in the world."
"We are proud to be chosen as the field builder of choice for the Kansas City Wizards," FIELDS President & Founder Brian Storm said. "As builder of the only FIFA two-star rated fields in the country, FIELDS knows soccer. Our principals have over 75 years combined experience building fields for the pinnacle of athletic competition including the Centennial Olympic Games, NFL, MLB, NCAA, and now MLS. We would like to thank the Kansas City Wizards for allowing FIELDS to be a part of their growth and success."
FieldTurf Tarkett, FIELDS and the Wizards begin their partnership with the construction of Field 3 at the Kansas City Wizards Swope Park Training Center. Field 3, the Wizards first lighted field, will feature FieldTurf's new Duraspine Monofilament surface to ensure the safest and most durable surface for field users. Field 3 will be home to:
• Kansas City Wizards practices and reserve games
• KCW Juniors practices and matches
• UMKC Men's Soccer practices and matches
• Brookside Soccer Club practices and matches
• Community soccer programming
Construction on Field 3 began Jan. 2 and will be completed in late March. Partners on the project who have generously donated materials or services include MUSCO Lighting, Hunter Industries and the United States Soccer Foundation.
"We are excited to kick-off our partnership with FieldTurf Tarkett and FIELDS by rebuilding Field 3 at our Swope Park Training Center," Ficklin said. "The Wizards will now be able to train on the same surface they will see in any MLS match, whether it is Bermuda, Bluegrass or FieldTurf. Also, KC area youth soccer, our community outreach initiatives and KCW Juniors programs will see dramatic improvements by having an all-weather lighted professional field at their disposal."
About FieldTurf Tarkett
FieldTurf Tarkett is the largest entity in the sports surfacing industry and provides unparalleled leasing capabilities, engineering and manufacturing resources. In addition to its world-renowned FieldTurf and Prestige brands of artificial turf, FieldTurf Tarkett provides an equally impressive range of products that includes synthetic and hardwood basketball, volleyball and gymnasium flooring, squash and racquetball courts, floor protection and covering systems, and weight room flooring. Also in the range of FieldTurf Tarkett products are indoor and outdoor running tracks including the high performance 'Le Monde' track system, playground surfacing, and a complete range of tennis and golf surfaces.
While FieldTurf is widely known for its outstanding American football surfaces, the company's soccer business is also booming. Four Major League Soccer teams play games on FieldTurf surfaces: New England Revolution (Gillette Stadium), Real Salt Lake (Rice-Eccles Stadium), Red Bull New York (Giants Stadium) and Toronto FC (BMO Field). Worldwide, FieldTurf has installed soccer fields for over 20 clubs, including: Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea, Club Deportivo Guadalajara, Liverpool and Rangers.
About Sports Fields, Inc. DBA 'FIELDS'
FIELDS is based out of Canton, Georgia and builds high-quality sporting venues across the nation. FIELDS is a company founded to build professional quality athletic fields and perform landscape development services. FIELDS has recently constructed the playing surface for the Green Bay Pakcers at Lambeau Field and the Philadelphia Eagles at Lincoln Financial Field and constructed multiple fields at both the Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans training complexes.
