From St. Andrews to Wimbledon, Toro® equipment is used to care for some of the most prestigious sports fields in the world. Another field on that list is Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy, Utah, home of Major League Soccer’s Real Salt Lake club. A Toro Reelmaster® 5010-H hybrid reel mower was used to make the first cut on the stadium’s new pitch, which was just completed in June. It’s the first time the turf has been replaced since the facility opened in 2008. You can watch the First Cut video here.
Field Due for Replacement
According to stadium staff, professional soccer fields with natural turf last an average of five to eight years. At eight years, the Rio Tinto field was due for a replacement. The turf had never fully recovered from previous damage that was caused when snow had to be cleared away for late-season play. In addition, invasive grass was becoming more and more abundant. To improve the health of the field, approximately four to five inches of grass, roots and soil were tilled up and hauled out, then replaced with all new soil and turfgrass.
Now the new field brings an even higher standard of excellence to a facility already considered to be one of the premier soccer pitches in the United States. And Toro equipment will be used to help maintain it.
Expanded Partnership
Real Salt Lake has had a long relationship with local Toro distributor Turf Equipment and Irrigation of Salt Lake City. And with the field replacement project, both decided it was time to look at expanding that relationship. Now Toro is a preferred turf equipment supplier for Real Salt Lake’s stadium and training facilities, as well as the corporate sponsor of the field and grounds crew.
In addition, Real Salt Lake will provide fans with Toro Turf Tips on social media, delivered by “The Grass Whisperer” – the stadium’s field and grounds manager. Fans consistently comment on the stadium’s perfectly manicured field, some even asking if it’s real turf. The social media tips will respond to this interest by suggesting ways people can make their own lawns look more like the Rio Tinto field. Toro will also help provide tips for conserving resources, in support of Utah’s Slow the Flow initiative to save water in the state’s desert climate.
Crew Loves Reelmaster 5010-H
The Real Salt Lake grounds crew’s Reelmaster 5010-H is the perfect complement to that conservation message. This reel mower features a true hybrid drive system that’s designed to save fuel without compromising on power. Grounds staff say they love the machine – especially how it’s designed to minimize hydraulic leaks, which helps support healthier turf and a safer field. They also commented that for new equipment and service alike, Turf Equipment has been the easiest to work with and most responsive to their needs.
For more updates and photos, follow the Real Salt Lake grounds crew on Twitter @RTS_grounds. You can also visit toro.com or contact your local Toro distributor to learn more about the Reelmaster 5010-H and our entire line of products for sports fields and grounds.