Sports Construction Group, Ohio and Vicinity Regional Council of Carpenters Announce New Training Alliance for Synthetic Turf Industry
Ensuring quality turf installations by addressing lack of specialized training is goal of SCG/OVRCC training partnership.
As the nation continues to rapidly adopt synthetic field systems, installers skilled in the art of turf are essential to deliver quality systems, but are few and far between.
Ohio-based sport field construction company Sports Construction Group and the Ohio and Vicinity Regional Council of Carpenters are taking on the problem.
The two groups have launched a training and certification program specific to turf, available to installers through OVRCC’s Joint Apprenticeship Training Centers, which provide training for the floor covering industry.
“There’s been a lack of training in synthetic turf installation in recent years. As a result the industry has suffered,” said Mike Cahill, State Director of Organizing for the OVRCC. “SCG understands that. The company is taking it upon itself to produce quality products using the best trained people,” said Cahill.
Paul Franks, SCG President and CEO, said his organization has been frustrated with a lack of craftsmen versed in the art of synthetic turf installation. “By developing a training program with OVRCC we know we — and the industry at large — will have access to skilled tradesmen. And as a result, better quality in the final product.”
He added that his company will rely on installers certified through OVRCC’s program, and he anticipates that some will travel with the company as it performs installations at various locations throughout the nation.
The new synthetic turf training program began operating earlier this year through OVRCC’s four training centers, located around the Ohio region. The curriculum is designed in part by 15-year synthetic turf installation veteran and SCG director of operations Rich Splean. It addresses all aspects of synthetic turf installations, including proper surface preparation, working in the right conditions, safety, proper adhesives and use of them, sewing techniques and much more, according to Cahill.
“This industry is growing incredibly rapidly — we need this level of training to properly serve the market,” said Cahill. He added that OVRCC is proud to have “some of the finest training programs” in North America, covering carpet, sheet goods, wood floorings, you name it. “And now synthetic turf is a major part of it,” he added.
About Sports Construction Group, L.L.C.
Sports Construction Group, L.L.C., is headquartered in Cleveland, Ohio, with offices near Austin, Texas. The company, a family- and employee-owned sport field specialty contractor, has construction roots that began nearly 50 years ago. Today SCG handles all phases of natural and synthetic turf jobs, from excavation and sub base through installation and maintenance.
SCG’s client roster includes some of the most recognizable sport facilities in the nation: Soldier Field, Jacobs Field, Yankee Stadium, Shea Stadium, Citizens Bank Park, Notre Dame Stadium and Johns Hopkins University, to name a few — along with dozens of Minor League, collegiate, high school and community systems.
About The Ohio and Vicinity Regional Council of Carpenters
The Ohio and Vicinity Regional Council of Carpenters is part of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America. The OVRCC oversees union carpenter and trade autonomy millwright projects for commercial, residential and institutional construction projects throughout Ohio and in four counties of West Virginia.
Membership is divided among four regions (Northeast, Northwest, Southwest and South Central) and is served by four Joint Apprenticeship Training Centers.
For more information about Sports Construction Group, the Ohio and Vicinity Regional Council of Carpenters or the new synthetic turf training program, contact:
Rich Splean
216-241-9900
SCG Turf Operations
Paul R. Tepfenhart
216-367-8063
Carpenters Floor Covering Business Rep.