General FAQ
What types of sports construction projects do you specialize in?
Nemaha Sports Construction is a general contractor that specializes in building and renovating athletic sports facilities, including but not limited to football and soccer stadiums, post-tensioned concrete and asphalt running tracks, post-tensioned concrete and asphalt tennis/pickleball courts, softball fields, and baseball fields. If it’s included in a sports facility, we can build it.
Do you provide design-build services for sports facilities?
Yes, we provide comprehensive design-build services to seamlessly guide your project from concept to completion. Whenever possible, we recommend this approach for material and method customizations ensuring the facility meets the unique needs of both athletes and fans.
Do you handle both natural grass and synthetic turf installations?
Yes, our team has extensive experience with the construction and maintenance of both natural grass and synthetic turf fields.
Can you assist with drainage and grading issues for sports fields?
Absolutely. We can work with you to address drainage and grading challenges to ensure optimal field performance and durability.
Do you build sports facility amenities such as concession stands, restrooms, or team rooms?
Our team provides construction services for all aspects of an athletic facility, including but not limited to concession stands, restrooms, team rooms, and more.
How do you help clients stay within their budgets?
Our team brings decades of experience in this specialized trade and has built trusted relationships with vendors across the sports construction industry. We also participate in rigorous training through leading industry organizations to stay current with the latest advancements in materials and best practices. These organizations include the American Sports Builders Association, the Sports Turf Managers Association, the Sports Field Management Association, and others. This depth of experience, combined with our active involvement in the industry, enables us to identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality, helping clients achieve their goals within budget.
Do you assist with grant applications for sports facility projects?
Yes, our team has successfully advised several clients on the proper materials needed when building and submitting grants for sports facilities.
Have you received any awards or recognition for your work?
Most recently, our team was honored with the 2024 Outdoor Track Award from the American Sports Builders Association for our work on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Outdoor Track & Field facility. This project featured a 9-lane running track, natural grass field, site-wide sidewalks, parking lot paving, sports lighting, and green space restoration.
The Olson Athletic Complex has also earned recognition from the ASBA. This full stadium project included a baseball field, a synthetic turf football field, a running track, concessions, restrooms, team rooms, a press box, sports lighting, and more.
PT Running Track FAQ
What is the difference between an asphalt running track base and a post-tensioned concrete running track base?
An asphalt running track base is built on a prepared subgrade and is typically made up of 4-6 inches of aggregate base, subsurface drainage system, concrete perimeter curbs, compacted asphalt base course, leveling course, and asphalt finish course.
A post-tensioned concrete running track base is built on a prepared subgrade with aggregate, leveling course, vapor barrier, subsurface drainage, and a 5-inch post-tensioned concrete slab that incorporates steel cables and tendons within a concrete track formwork before pouring. After the concrete reaches optimal strength, the tendons are tensioned to compress the concrete.
How will a post-tensioned running track benefit my school and my community?
Constructing a new running track for your school is a significant investment in time and resources. It’s essential to carefully evaluate all available options. Many schools choose post-tensioned concrete running tracks because of their long-lasting durability over traditional asphalt construction. These tracks are designed to endure for generations, sparing future administrations, donors, and taxpayers from the burden of major renovations. Instead, they will only need to manage minor maintenance tasks and a relatively simple resurfacing process.
Is there a significant difference in cost between an asphalt track and a post-tensioned concrete track?
When performing a lifecycle cost comparison, post-tensioned (PT) concrete running tracks are nearly half the cost of their asphalt counterparts. Traditionally, asphalt tracks were a more budget-friendly option due to lower initial construction costs, but this price gap has narrowed considerably over time. Additionally, the location of your project and its proximity to asphalt and concrete materials can significantly impact overall costs, making material availability a critical factor in determining the most cost-effective solution for your track.
What is the life expectancy of a PT running track?
The life expectancy of a post-tensioned concrete running track is nearly two to four times longer than an asphalt running track.
Will I need to make upgrades to my post-tensioned running track?
Yes. However, unlike their asphalt counterpart, post-tensioned concrete running tracks do not need to be completely reconstructed; they only require resurfacing. This saves significant costs on upgrades and can be completed quickly, allowing for minimum usage downtime for your facility.
Is there a time-saving advantage when selecting a post-tensioned running track for clients who have a limited window between seasons?
While the construction of each running track varies significantly in materials and construction methods, they generally take about the same amount of time to construct. Like any outdoor construction job, we have found that the speed of the project is more heavily reliant on weather conditions, proper project timelines, and the expertise of the contractor and their installers.
Are there outdoor PT tracks installed in the Midwest, if so, where?
There are a little over two dozen post-tensioned concrete running tracks in the Midwest, with others in Colorado, Utah, Texas, Montana, and more.
A few of the Nebraska schools that have post-tensioned running tracks include:
- Albion – Boone Central High School
- Atkinson – West Holt High School
- Bassett – Rock County Track Facility
- Columbus – Pawnee Park Stadium & Columbus High School
- Ewing – Summerland High School
- Fremont – Midland University
- Humphrey – Public Schools Outdoor Athletic Complex
- Kearney – Kearney Catholic High School
- Lewiston – Lewiston Consolidated Schools Foundation
- Macy – Umo Ho Nation High School
- Omaha – Millard West High School
- Waverly – Waverly High School
Are there other contractors that install PT tracks, why and why not?
Other contractors across the United States install post-tensioned concrete running tracks because they recognize the numerous benefits that they provide their customers. However, this highly specialized type of construction requires tight tolerances, exact precision, and knowledge of running track construction so it’s important to select an experienced general contractor who specializes in this type of construction. Nemaha understands the importance of delivering top-quality results, which is why our team uses a Tarkett Sports Patented PT System. With this approach, we ensure that your PT running track is built to the highest industry standards and will last for generations.
What are some of the reasons post-tensioned concrete running tracks are not more commonly used?
While the process for post-tensioning concrete has been around for decades and saw rising popularity for this process in tennis courts, it took engineers longer to crack the code on how to properly apply this system to an oval. Given the difficulty of the shape and the required industry expertise to build these tracks, it has taken a while longer for schools and institutions to select this as their preferred construction process. However, we are starting to see many schools in the Midwest upgrade to a post-tensioned system such as Kearney Catholic High School and Millard West High School.
Why should post-tensioned concrete be used instead of standard reinforced concrete for the running track?
Post-tensioned concrete is ideal for running tracks because it offers enhanced flexibility and durability. By applying tension to steel tendons within the concrete, the cracks that form remain controlled, preventing them from spreading and compromising the integrity of the base or surface. This tensioning process also enables the concrete to better resist expansion and contraction caused by seasonal temperature fluctuations, resulting in a smoother, more resilient, and longer-lasting running track.
If our school is interested in a post-tensioned concrete running track, what should we do first?
Consult with an expert! For over 13 years, Nemaha Sports Construction has specialized in building post- tensioned concrete running tracks, backed by a team that includes Post-Tensioning Institute-certified professionals and American Sports Builders Association Certified Track Builders. Our exclusive access to the industry-proven Tarkett Sports Patented PT System, combined with our extensive expertise, ensures that we can address any questions you may have and guide your project toward success.
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