Woodbury, Conn. (April 21, 2021) – Classic Turf Company, LLC, a Connecticut-based design/build company specializing in sports facility construction, has been recognized by the Post-Tensioning Institute (PTI) with the 2021 Award of Excellence in the Slab-on-Ground category for the reconstruction of the athletic running track at Orville Platt High School in Meriden, Connecticut. Classic Turf accepted this esteemed industry honor on April 20, 2021 at the PTI Virtual Convention and Awards Ceremony, celebrating excellence in post-tensioning applications – a method of reinforcing concrete with high-strength strands or bars to increase durability and decrease maintenance.
Classic Turf served as general contractor, overseeing the demolition and reconstruction of the former track and field following construction of the new Orville Platt High School. A post-tensioned running track and D-Zones were installed with Classic Elastic Track SP – a patented all-weather surfacing system featuring a thermal-pressured cured, precision formed elastic base mat. The natural grass field was replaced with synthetic turf. Work also included new retaining walls, perimeter site concrete, fencing, and new field event equipment, including a long jump, high jump and pole vault.
The use of post-tension slab was described by the evaluation panel as incredibly useful and functional. “While curved post-tensioning tendons is nothing new, using them in this way to create a continuous oval shape is an ingenious design,” remarked one of the judges. “The track constructed this way should have an incredibly long lifespan with a usefulness that surpasses normal slab-on-ground concrete or asphalt tracks while requiring less maintenance due to cracking.”
“It is an honor to have our work recognized by an industry leading organization like PTI,” states John Eren, Vice President of Classic Turf. “We will continue to promote the use of post-tension technology in sports facility construction in New England for its unparalleled advantages over traditional base materials and look forward to future innovations with tracks and courts throughout the region.”
John was issued a post-tension running track patent (#9957673) in 2018 by the United States Patent Office. He is certified by PTI as a Level 1 and Level 2 Unbonded Post-Tension Inspector.
This is Classic Turf’s second award-winning track project. In 2019, their post-tension track project at Lewis Mills High School in Burlington, Connecticut received an Award of Merit from PTI in the category of Slab on Ground – Athletic Running Track Renovation.
The Orville Platt project was undertaken simultaneously with track and field improvements at Meriden’s Maloney High School, which underwent the same reconstruction process. Work was completed in July of 2020.
About Classic Turf Company
Founded in 1980, Classic Turf Company is a family-owned design/build company specializing in the construction of sports facilities including courts, tracks and fields. Classic Turf was one of the first to introduce post tension concrete technology to the sports industry in New England and has pioneered its application in tennis court, basketball court and running track construction. Learn more: ClassicTurf.org
