March 24, 2009

To Whom It May Concern:

As you are the chairperson for the artificial turf project that you are undertaking, I would like to share with you some of my experiences with ATG Sports Industries.

As you know, Maize has two artificial football fields that were both installed by ATG.  Our oldest field is nearing 5 years.  The field is basically in the same condition that it was when it was first installed.  Our 2nd field has experienced one football season and it, too, would appear to be in a brand new condition.

I know that your committee has done its homework on the different types of surfaces that are currently available.  I am confident that there are pros and cons with any of the major types.  However, because of the number of sports surfaces that have been installed by major companies that you are considering, you probably can’t really go wrong with any product you choose.  Rather, the real difference would be the relationship that you develop with the company that installs the product.

This is where I think ATG might be able to “one up” their competitors.  Our two turf fields, and the three track surfaces that ATG has also installed, are minor in comparison to the large turf project that you have on the table.  Even with our 5 smaller projects, however, there were some details here or there that we didn’t anticipate when we designed the fields.  I can’t imagine the number of little fixes and mends that might arise from your project.  To say that an artificial football surface or an all weather track are maintenance free would be denial.  A rip/tear will happen here, or a cut/divot in the track will happen there, either from neglect or misuse.  When things like this have happened here in Maize, I have always been able to call Paul Driver or Matt Smith directly at ATG to make arrangements to get things fixed.  I feel very fortunate to have the owner of the company that installed our major sports venues on speed dial.  Whenever I call (and I call frequently because we have always have some iron in the fire) he is always very energetic and eager to provide resolve for the problems that we may be experiencing.  IN fact, just this past weekend Paul sent a crew out to our baseball stadium to lay down some left over turf in our baseball bull pins.  This was not part of any of our original turf or track projects with ATG, but is an example of his dedication to us as his client.  Pau, and Matt also came out to our sites and walked our fields on a regular basis and they provide input as to what we should, or should not, be doing to maintain the surface.  Again, I think the reason our 5 year old fields looks the way it does is because of the follow up that ATG has provided for us.  I am a firm believer than an artificial surface is NOT something that can just be installed and then never serviced in any way.

I haven’t worked with other turf companies so I can’t speak to how they deal with their clients.  I can only share my relationship with ATG Industries.  Paul and Matt have gone the extra mile for USD266 and because of that they are really the only company that we considered with our most recent football field and track installations.

Please feel free to call me anytime you have any questions that I might be able to answer.

Good luck with your project.  As a person who has deep roots in your district, I am excited for your schools as they embark on this facility renovation.

Sincerely,

Marc Haught
Maize District Activities Director