Campus Rec Makes Quality of Life Improvements for INTRAMURAL

Liberty students will get to kick off their outdoor intramural sports seasons this fall on new multipurpose turf fields at the Liberty Mountain Intramural Complex. 

After 10 years of using the same turf on the outdoor intramural fields next to the Liberty Indoor Track Complex, LU Campus Recreation decided to lay down new turf for the intramural fields this past summer. Ed Barnhouse, director of Intramural Sports, explained why he believed the field was due for a renovation. 

“The amount of wear and tear on the turf made it necessary to replace,” Barnhouse said. “Similar to when someone decides to replace the carpet in their house… except thousands of people are using the turf, and it also has to hold up to
the weather.”

The new turf covers more than two soccer fields. Red, blue and white lines placed carefully across the field set the boundaries for several sports, including flag football, ultimate frisbee and softball. Liberty student Tristan Renes, who played sports on the Intramural Complex fields before they were renovated, shared his excitement over playing on the new turf. 

“Last year it felt like there was more sand under the mats for the turf than there was actual turf,” Renes said. “When we were to slide or fall it made some intense burns, and it didn’t feel too comfortable. I’m excited for a softer fall.”

Renes, who has played sports on turf for several years and maintained other turf fields as a job, said old turf can cause players to slip more easily and may take a toll on a player’s knees as the quality of the grass declines. He also added that he liked to play certain sports on turf instead of grass. 

“When I play soccer, the ball flows a lot faster on turf,” Renes said. “It’s softer on my knees and on my ankles, and there’s no chance of me stepping into a divot and just ruining my ankles. Turf is my favorite.”

Barnhouse, now entering year 27 as a Liberty staff member, recognized that the turf at the intramural fields needed to be replaced and oversaw its new design himself. Barnhouse said the fields are primarily used for intramural sports, which are overseen by LU Campus Recreation. Beyond intramural use, students and the public can use the fields in a limited capacity. 

Intramural sports are also getting another upgrade along with the new turf at the Liberty Mountain Complex. The hardwood floors in the LaHaye Rec and Fitness Center will be redone. The project will start during Thanksgiving week, with construction set to end prior to the beginning of the 2022 spring semester. 

Satterthwaite is a sports reporter.