Naval Air Station Patuxent (Pax) River broke ground on the Athletic Field and Running Track Project outside the drill hall Sept. 1.

NAS Pax River leadership, along with representatives from NAS Pax River Public Works, NAS Pax River Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR), and Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) are collaborating on the project, which is expected to be completed January 2017. It will provide service members and civilians on base with updated playing fields and a running track around the span of the fields, and one of the biggest changes will be a move to synthetic turf.

"The synthetic turf systems use a specially-manufactured granular rubber and sand infill material laid between the turf fibers to provide a surface that minimizes injuries to athletes from falls and other types of injuries," said Gerhard Groeger, NAVFAC Washington civil engineer with NAS Pax River Public Works. "The surface is usable both during and after rain storms and requires less maintenance than natural turf."

Groeger explained the use of the artificial turf instead of natural turf also provides an eco-friendly alternative for sports fields.

"The application of fertilizer, herbicides, and pesticides isn't required, so fewer pollutants will runoff to the adjacent wetland and the Chesapeake Bay a short distance downstream," he said.

The addition of a running track around the fields also provides a centralized and confined space off installation roads where Sailors can perform the 1.5-mile Navy physical readiness run.

"The scope of work includes the construction of a stone aggregate-surfaced running track encircling the fields," said Robert Cipolloni, NAVFAC construction manager at NAS Pax River. "The field and track will help meet current physical fitness training facility standards as well as [MWR] mission requirements."

The project is also expected to save maintenance costs in the long run, said Mike Jones, N9 director for NAS Pax River. By minimizing the need for grass maintenance and improving the usability of the field, more people can use the field more often with less cost.

"The benefit of the Athletic Field and Running Path Project is the collective ability to provide a facility with dimensions and markings to accommodate a variety of recreational sports, allowing the complex to host more games and activities more often and not be impeded by weather and temperature," said Jones. "It's also a really cost-effective way to get more recreational events on the ground such as concerts, community recreation, or special events. You have the ability to be much more flexible. There are cost savings from an energy perspective saving water, grass cutting, and eliminating the need for hazardous management of chemicals and such that would be utilized on a well-maintained field."

In the end, all of this will benefit those stationed at NAS Pax River, said Hal Willard, MWR Sports and Fitness director.

"The fact that it is an artificial surface will make it more functional and will eliminate any cancellations due to poor field conditions," said Willard. "The existing football field will be multi-purpose, as it will also be striped for soccer play. All of this will provide a state-of-the-art athletic complex for the active-duty community."

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