WARRENSBURG, Mo. – University of Central Missouri Athletics and Mid-America Sports Construction announced on Monday, April 20, that more new state-of-the-art AstroTurf playing surfaces are coming to the South Recreation Complex in Warrensburg.

The Jennies Soccer field, located on the west side of the complex, is set to have new turf installed, while the Jennies Softball field on the southeast side of the facility is scheduled to have turf installed in the outfield, completing the entire field, as infield turf was installed last year by Mid-America Sports Construction.
 

"We are thrilled to expand our partnership with AstroTurf and Mid-America Sports Construction to provide our Jennies Soccer and Softball student-athletes and coaches with world-class surfaces that match their dedication and championship culture. These enhancements to the South Recreation Complex underscore our commitment to providing premier facilities that prioritize both student-athlete well-being and a high-performance environment, regardless of the elements," UCM Vice President for Intercollegiate Athletics Matt Howdeshell said. "These upgrades represent a major step forward for UCM Athletics as we continue to invest in the resources necessary for our programs to compete at the highest level of NCAA Division II."

The Jennies Soccer field will feature AstroTurf's Ligaturf Pro 3DM 60 System with a 60-ounce, rootzone, monofilament product. The system will sit on a Brock YSR shock pad, allowing the infill to be much more speed-regulated. This will give the players a sure footing and a fast surface, replicating a very tightly mowed Bermuda field. The new Jennies Soccer turf surface will feature UCM and Jennies Soccer branding and lettering.

The Jennies Softball outfield turf will utilize the same AstroTurf GameDay RBI System installed on the Jennies Softball infield last summer. This field features a 60-ounce AstroTurf rootzone product and is the highest-playability system for softball. It has been tested and refined to produce the best collegiate play, allowing for lower maintenance and a truer playing surface over years of use. The new Jennies Softball outfield turf surface will also feature UCM branding.

"Mid-America Sports Construction is honored to be part of another project at the University of Central Missouri. UCM has been an amazing customer, and we have been fortunate to build a long-term relationship and partnership," Mid-America Director of Sales Brock Wilson said. "We look forward to bringing the high-quality playing surfaces to the South Recreation Complex. As a UCM alum, I love seeing athletics grow and expand. Go Mules and Jennies!"
 

"The University of Central Missouri has shown its belief in AstroTurf and the quality over the last decade. We are very appreciative of their belief in our turf and look forward to providing two more solutions for their needs," AstroTurf Regional Manager Tanner Green said. "UCM has always had great fields, but in the world we live in today, it is harder and more demanding to keep up with natural grass needs. We are happy to provide a solution that is as close to natural grass as you will get."

Construction on the Jennies Soccer turf is set to begin on Friday, April 24, while the Jennies Softball outfield turf installation is slated to start on Monday, June 1. Both new surfaces will be ready for the 2026-2027 season.

About AstroTurf and Mid-America Sports Construction
AstroTurf is the innovator of turf. Starting in 1965 with the construction of the AstroDome in Houston, Texas, it has been innovating ever since. AstroTurf has always tried to replicate natural grass and get as close to those characteristics as possible. AstroTurf has recently formed a partnership with Major League Baseball to support the research and development of its baseball/softball system.

Mid-America Sports Construction was founded in 1993 and is based in Lee's Summit, Mo. The company completes the construction of approximately 40-50 fields per year and is the preeminent field contractor of natural and synthetic turf sports fields.