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PORTLAND, Ore. --- The University of Portland has one of the strongest traditions in collegiate soccer with one of the finest soccer playing fields in Merlo Field at the Clive Charles Soccer Complex. The school is doing its part to maintain that reputation by resurfacing the field this spring. The project includes scraping the old pitch, leveling the surface, and then installing the new sand-based sod surface.

 

Bernhardt Golf, a Beaverton, Ore. company with extensive experience in renovating and building grass athletic playing surfaces, is the contractor for the Merlo Field project. Bernhardt Golf is the same operation that engineered the University of Portland soccer practice facilities in 2007 and completed the Joe Etzel Field baseball infield renovation in 2008.

The Merlo Field project began at the beginning of March with the old turf scraped and the surface laser-sighted for leveling. A new irrigation system was finalized this week, while the sod is scheduled to be delivered on March 16 with the installation commencing shortly thereafter. The sod is a blend of 75 percent perennial rye and 25 percent Kentucky bluegrass. Once the sod installation is complete, the field will be off-line for approximately three months.

Photos of the early part of the construction process are available at the above link. Check back at portlandpilots.com for more updates.