Breaking Ground: Earthwork at the Amery Athletic Facilities Project
In the spring of 2024, the Amery School District embarked on a transformative journey to enhance its athletic infrastructure. At the heart of this initiative lies the Amery Athletic Facilities project, a comprehensive development that includes new turf football and baseball fields, a synthetic track, natural turf softball fields, and associated site improvements. One of the most critical early phases of this project was the earthwork—laying the groundwork for everything to come.
Scope of Earthwork
The earthwork encompassed a wide range of activities essential for preparing the site for construction.
This included:
Site Clearing and Demolition: Removal of existing structures, fencing, paving, underground utilities, and vegetation within the construction limits.
Excavation and Grading: Mass excavation, rough and fine grading, and earth stripping. All topsoil was screened to remove debris larger than 1 inch, ensuring a clean base for future landscaping.
Fill and Aggregates: Placement of sand and aggregate fill beneath asphalt and concrete paving, sidewalks, and other exterior surfaces. Recreational rock (Ag-lime), shot put surfacing, and biofiltration soil were also installed.
Trenching and Backfilling: Installation of trenching systems for utilities, followed by backfilling and compaction to meet structural and safety standards.
Stormwater and Water Utilities: Construction of storm sewer systems, catch basins, water distribution piping, and subdrainage systems to manage runoff and groundwater.
Erosion Control and SWPPP Compliance: Implementation of erosion control measures and a full Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP), including construction entrances, perimeter controls, sediment basins, and dewatering protocols.
Challenges and Coordination
The earthwork phase required meticulous coordination with multiple stakeholders, including Kraus-Anderson Construction (Construction Manager), LHB, Inc. (Design Team), and various subcontractors.
Key milestones included:
Preparing the football field for turf installation by May 31, 2024
Preparing the baseball field for turf installation by June 12, 2024
To meet these deadlines, crews worked extended hours and managed multiple mobilizations. Weather conditions and soil variability presented challenges, but proactive planning and on-site geotechnical evaluations ensured that the work remained on schedule.
Sustainability and Safety
Sustainability and safety were integral to the earthwork operations. The project incorporated:
Reuse of On-Site Soils: Where feasible, native soils were reused to reduce hauling and environmental impact.
Dewatering and Drainage: Daily pumping and temporary rock basins were used to manage groundwater and prevent construction delays.
Safety Protocols: All personnel adhered to a site-specific safety plan, including PPE requirements, daily huddles, and toolbox talks.
Lookin Ahead
With the earthwork phase successfully completed, the Amery Athletic Facilities project was well-positioned for the next stages of construction. The solid foundation laid during this phase ensures long-term durability, performance, and safety for the athletic fields and supporting infrastructure.
