CGC Fields: UNC's Kenan Stadium prepares for Chelsea v Wrexham

On Wednesday, July 19th, a highly anticipated soccer match between the renowned British team Chelsea and the media-favorite Wrexham from Wales, owned by actor Ryan Reynolds, is scheduled to take place in Chapel Hill. However, the match requires a unique playing surface. Casey Carrick, UNC's director of Grounds and Turf Maintenance, highlighted that the Bermuda 419 warm weather turf, capable of withstanding scorching temperatures like the current 90-degree day, is ideal. Each roll of sod weighs a hefty 2,500 pounds, meticulously joined together by a "side kick" machine to ensure seamless integration. The process of covering the entire field takes two days and begins with a "geotextile fabric" protecting the artificial turf underneath, followed by the lush grass surface. Chad Price, the owner of "Carolina Green," shared that the grass is an inch and a half thick, cultivated with a special sand mix that provides stability and excellent drainage, preventing it from turning into mud, even in the event of rain.

Read WRAL News article here.