It was indeed a challenge: 47 acres to be developed, more than 125,000 cubic yards of earth to move, more than 2,000 feet of water main and nearly 6,700 feet of storm sewer to be installed, six synthetic soccer/lacrosse fields and four synthetic baseball fields to construct. That’s the brief description of the site development project for the Woodside Sports Complex in the Wisconsin Dells that Friede & Associates was proud to complete in July of 2015.

As we enter the fall of 2016, and the closing of Woodside's first full season with the new sports complex, we look back at the challenges of constructing what might, on the surface, appear to be a simple project.

After being selected in March of 2014 as the general contractor for the site development of the new Woodside Sports Complex, Friede & Associates began a steep learning curve to make sure we knew everything that would go into the development of this multi-sport recreational facility.

One blessing: The Woodside Sports Complex would be patterned after the larger Woodside Ranch project, a 245-acre western-themed Mauston, Wisconsin property with eight synthetic turf baseball/softball fields and a full concession/retail area. The proximity of this project to the planned project in The Dells allowed key project team members to see for themselves what the end product would look like. It also allowed Friede to utilize key subcontractors who had already been part of the Mauston project.

Project funding was complicated, but Friede and the developer negotiated a temporary funding package that would allow them to begin construction in advance of the final loan being closed. This was critical since the first major event at the complex—a youth lacrosse tournament—was scheduled for a mere 14 weeks after site work was slated to begin.

Every project has its challenges. In this case, much of the earthwork was difficult due to rock on the site. Ultimately, 434 cubic yards of rock ripping was necessary to accommodate the installation of the water and sewer lines.

In addition, much of the existing soil was unsuitable for development. The best solution? To mine good soils from the property, rather than face the costs of trucking in suitable soils. More than 73,000 cubic yards of good soils were mined and utilized in the development, with poor soils buried on site.

There was also the matter of concrete curbing—which was required around each field to allow the turf to be attached—and finish grading of each field.  Additional work included approximately 50,000 square feet of sidewalks and 11,000 linear feet of fencing.

An elevated wooded area located immediately adjacent to the soccer fields would also be maintained and developed as a shaded viewing area for the new fields. On the south side of the woods, Friede subcontractors installed a boulder retaining wall that ranged from two feet to nearly 20 feet in height, creating a spectacular viewing area for families and guests watching games at the complex. Large retaining walls were also constructed along Highway 13 and along the baseball fields to the north of the wooded area. In total, more than 14,750 square feet of retaining wall were necessitated by this project.

Part of our work involved making sure rain-outs would be few and far between. We managed the installation of more than 20,000 linear feet of drain tile to support a detention/drainage system that allows for players to return to the fields within 15 minutes of even the largest rainstorms. A new well and complete irrigation system were also installed to support the complex. Both paved and gravel parking were constructed, as were six synthetic turf batting cages.

In the spring and summer of 2015, final grading and seeding for the grass soccer and multipurpose fields—as well as the final reworking of some of the retaining walls and detention pond—were completed to provide Woodside with full use and access to this exciting sports complex. 

And that youth lacrosse tournament deadline? We met it. In fact, some Friede & Associates team members were in the stands cheering that day.

About Friede & Associates:

When you select Friede & Associates, you are buying more than our quality-assured construction services. You also get the performance and reliability of some of the top suppliers and subcontractors in the area. While other contractors may be cutting quality to remain competitive on price, Friede is forging relationships with members of the project team to bring you the best value and highest quality for your investment.