IMEG provided survey and civil design services for a new athletic complex to be shared by Assumption High School and St. Ambrose University. Phase I of the project features two synthetic turf, all-purpose practice fields; a natural grass softball complex including spectator seating and press box; concessions building; spectator seating for the practice fields; and a 130-stall parking lot.

Based on geotechnical engineering information, IMEG proposed a site design that would accomplish the school’s goals, addressing three major challenges presented by the terrain. With approximately 30 feet to 40 feet of fall in elevation across the site, engineers had to select the correct elevations on each field to ensure the entire site balanced and earthwork was minimized. The second challenge the site presented was the condition of the soil. As discovered in the soil borings, the site featured a relatively high water table. By paying close attention to storm water management, engineers implemented infiltration practices where possible to minimize additional runoff downstream.

The facility’s parking lot is made of asphalt with a porous section that filters storm water. All run-off from the parking lot drains into this porous section through a layer of clean stone to a sub-drain system, and finally through a rate-controlled restrictor to the drainage way. Site constraints and soil conditions were major challenges during the site design and were addressed with creative solutions and subsoil stabilization practices.