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Morrisville, NC (July 17, 2019) –
The Wake Competition Center, located near the Raleigh-Durham International Airport, is now home to a pair of full-sized, 80x120-yard, NCAA-regulation Matrix® Real M® turf soccer fields installed by Hellas Construction. The state-of-the-art multi-sport competition facility also known as the WCC will be an athlete’s dream site with several sports represented in one location.
Designed to meet the needs of local youth, amateur, and professional sporting events, WCC decided to go with Hellas’ signature Matrix Real M, which has a varied texture that makes it superior for the specific needs of a quality soccer field. The Matrix Real M turf is made up of polyethylene fibers, which come in three different colors and shapes (eclipse, arc, and diamond) that resemble natural blades of grass with enhanced playability. The olive and sports green yarn colors are stitched using alternate needles to give a more natural appearance. The WCC is darker on the sidelines and lighter in the playing surface.
The REALFILL™ infill is made of pea gravel and SBR, cuboidal rubber granulates. The base layer of pea gravel assists with shock absorption and drainage by holding the system in place. Rubber granulates minimize “splash-out” and migration thanks to its deliberate shape and size. The result is a uniform, predictable playing surface, also implemented in stadiums like Baylor University and the University of California at Berkeley.
“When you are building a facility like the Wake Competition Center designed for hockey, volleyball, gymnastics, and soccer, you want to make sure you have the best quality,” said Jeff Ammons, President of Ammons Building Corporation and owner of the WCC. “Hellas has been a leader with many of the soccer clubs in North Carolina, including North Carolina FC Youth, and they have been very pleased with the quality and accountability. Teams are playing on our fields now and enjoying them.”
Hellas, which also installed fields for N.C. Fusion and the Charlotte Soccer Academy as well as four FIFA-certified fields in North Collier County, Florida, is becoming a trusted product supplier for soccer facilities.
“NCFC Youth is grateful to Jeff Ammons for building this amazing facility,” said Bob Harris, NCFC Youth director of operations. “We know that Ammons Building Corporation and Hellas care deeply about the product and it shows.”
Wake Competition Center will be complete with LED lights, pavilions dedicated to each field, built-in benches, and a picnic shelter.
“In addition to soccer, we expect to also have ultimate frisbee and some other sports using the turf fields,” Ammons said. “And, we could have hockey and volleyball players working out on the outdoor fields.”
The WCC location will include a twin-rink ice rink, volleyball facility, sports training facility, and gymnastics facility. The competition center will provide athletic and recreational facilities to people of all ages.
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Hellas Construction, Inc. headquartered in Austin, TX, is the largest vertically-integrated sports construction contractor in the United States, specializing in the general construction of sports facilities and sports surfaces. Hellas champions innovative artificial turf manufacturing, base construction, field, track and tennis planning, along with installation and maintenance. hellasconstruction.com
Wake Competition Center is a new multi-sport center and academy in Morrisville, NC adjacent to the Raleigh-Durham International Airport. The WCC is to construct state-of-the-art competition facilities that not only meet a need within the proposed geographic area but also provide for facilities that will be capable of hosting multiple amateur and professional sporting events. wakecompetitioncenter.com
Baylor University is a college in Waco, TX and a member of the Big 12 Athletic Conference. baylor.edu
University of California at Berkeley is a college in Berkeley, CA and a member of the Pacific-12 Athletic Conference. berkeley.edu