2019 Sports Installation of the Year Award: Multi-field Category

CHA Consulting Inc. – Henrico County Glover Park

Glover Park, formally known as Greenwood Park, is situated on an 88-acre parcel extending from the north side of Greenwood Road to the Chickahominy River within the Brookland District of Henrico County, Virginia. Glover Park is a world-class sports complex that was developed to serve Henrico County residents. The facility is pivotal to strengthening the county’s economy through increased sports tourism, which results from the higher number of tournaments that will now be held in Henrico County.

From 2014 to 2015, CHA developed a master plan for the entire project. Glover Park would consist of 10 multipurpose athletic fields, a championship stadium, passive walking trails, public restroom buildings, and supporting infrastructure. At the start of the project, CHA completed a detailed site analysis and in-depth due diligence investigation to clearly identify on-site challenges and to address them before the design was initiated. The parcel had several challenges, including two existing streams, wetlands, and significant construction debris left from the construction of nearby Interstate 295. Off-site removal and disposal of this material would have significantly increased the cost of the project; therefore, CHA developed a detailed plan to place the debris in deep fill areas of the site while preventing it from “nesting.” The site also had previous land disturbances, including differences in elevations in major zones.

Upon approval of the master plan, CHA was directed to prepare design documents for Phase I, which included four of the eight synthetic turf multipurpose fields, the sand volleyball courts, public restrooms, walking trails, supporting infrastructure, and parking. More than 488,000 square feet of synthetic turf was used in the design of two large turf pads that each accommodate two full-size soccer fields in the north-south direction and four youth fields in the east-west direction. All the fields were designed with sports lighting to permit evening use. To gain maximum flexibility for the large synthetic turf pads, our team used a sports lighting design that eliminates poles between the full-size fields. Safety complements this flexibility; the fields include a shock pad underlayment that absorbs impacts to enhance player safety, and organic material is used in the infill of the synthetic turf in lieu of traditional crumb rubber.

The first construction phase commenced in December of 2016, and substantial completed was achieved in February 2018. The Park now includes full-size lighted soccer fields, a restroom building, supporting infrastructure, parking for more than 300 vehicles, and on-site bio filters for low impact stormwater management. Since the original site was undeveloped, public utilities had to be extended to the property for sanitary sewer and public water supply. The Park already has had a significant influence on Henrico County’s economy. Since the Park opened in February 2018, the complex has hosted 10 tournaments, including the Richmond Ultimate Cup, Jefferson Cup, VHSL Spring Jubilee High School Championships, and the US Lacrosse National Team Performance Camp. These events draw large crowds to the area, bringing significant revenue to Henrico County via sports tourism.