Ludlow High School
Project Overview
Ludlow High School, in Ludlow, Kentucky, just southwest of Cincinnati, Ohio, is part of the Ludlow Independent School District, a 150-year-old district comprised of two schools serving children from preschool through 12th grade. Today, the high school serves 370 students and proudly embraces the high academic standards and traditions established throughout the school’s long history.
In order to maintain athletic excellence and remain competitive among the other schools in the district, Ludlow High School knew it needed a high-performing synthetic turf system to replace the grass surface at its historic James Rigney Stadium. Additionally, the school needed an artificial turf surface that would be able to withstand heavy rains and potential flooding due to its location – a two-fold project that needed a trusted and strategic industry expert to complete.
In 2022, Motz worked with Ludlow Schools Superintendent, Mike Borchers, on a baseball infield project in conjunction with the Reds Community Fund. After seeing Motz’ quality work first hand, and developing a trusted relationship with the company, Motz was chosen to install the synthetic turf system for the new field.
The Situation
Even though the school is one of the smaller districts in the state (despite being close to Cincinnati), it wanted to stand out and make a splash with its new and improved synthetic turf field.
The main factor that needed to be addressed was determining a synthetic turf system strategy to respond to the school being in a floodplain. With Motz’ superior infill products and experience working with synthetic turf fields in flood prone areas, the company knew how to approach the project to make sure Ludlow High School got the high quality and high functioning synthetic turf field it wanted.
The Play
Since the stadium sits adjacent to the Ohio River, flooding is a high possibility. In 1997, the school experienced a historic flood and wanted to be sure that if that ever happened again, the field would be protected from damage. In order to combat any future issues, the school chose Motz’ Envirofill as the premium product choice for its field’s artificial turf infill.
Infused with Microban antimicrobial protection, Envirofill was just what the school needed. With its superior durability, the artificial infill can be utilized for multiple turf life cycles with no decrease in performance. Since flooding is also a potential issue for the school, its antimicrobial technology was an advantageous choice since it’s proven to protect against bacteria, mold, and mildew — environmental factors often present after flood waters recede. Envirofill is also proven to withstand heavy rains and flooding without migrating off thanks to its bulk density.
By combining Envirofill with the Crossflex HP turf to create the field’s synthetic turf system, Motz outfitted Ludlow High School with a high-performing and safe turf field surface for its student body. With its bright red aesthetic, the synthetic turf field is one of a kind — eye-catching, bold, and a staple of the school’s campus.
"One of the reasons we chose Envirofill was its expected performance in a flood situation — and it proved itself. As expected, Envirofill stayed in place during a flood event. It made the cleanup possible and the field playable quickly after the water receded."
The Win
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QUALITY PERFORMANCE:
Motz utilized its years of experience and floodplain knowledge to install a new synthetic turf system for Ludlow High School that would be safe and durable to play on.
The new synthetic turf system, with Crossflex and Envirofill, is equipped to help combat any potential flooding issues. Thanks to Motz’s industry knowledge and dedication to quality service, Ludlow High School has an impressive new synthetic turf field to support its football games, athletic events, and band practices.
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COLLABORATIVE APPROACH:
Since Motz was just contracted to install the synthetic turf system for Ludlow High School’s field, the company worked with other parties involved to ensure the entire field project ran smoothly.
Motz worked with the school’s site contractor and architect to make sure the field’s base was installed properly to support the synthetic turf system. Motz’ team also attended weekly progress meetings with the owner, architect, and owner’s site contractor to understand project timing and to help solve any issues/ problems that arose during the base construction. This collaborative approach ensured that there was seamless communication throughout the entire field project.
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INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE:
Motz has over 40 years of experience constructing and installing top of the line synthetic turf systems for schools, universities, and professional sports teams across the country.
Motz leaned into its years of experience in field planning, construction, and installation to help solve drainage needs and goal placement issues for the new artificial turf field. Now, the school has a high-performing, durable surface that will support its athletic program and student body come rain or come shine.
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UNEXPECTED WEATHER, UNMATCHED RESPONSE
In April 2025, Ludlow High School’s synthetic turf field faced a serious test when heavy rainfall led to river flooding that left approximately 3/8″ of mud across the surface. The Motz team, in partnership with the Ludlow Fire Department and school officials, sprang into action with a rapid, coordinated cleanup effort that preserved both the playability and integrity of the field.
Over 35,000 gallons of water, supplied via nearby hydrants with the assistance of Ludlow FD, were used to power high-volume flushing that quickly cleared the majority of the silt and mud. Our Motz365 field operations team, along with other officials, safely managed the spoil removal, avoiding further disruption to the turf system. Spoil was efficiently pushed to the track perimeter, allowing for a controlled and thorough cleanup.
A key factor in the successful recovery? The field’s use of Envirofill. Its firm, non-absorbent composition help prevent significant muddy residue from embedding deeply into the turf, allowing for faster removal and reducing the risk of long-term damage. This not only made cleanup more efficient but also ensured the field returned to game-ready condition much sooner than expected.
Strong local collaboration, clear communication, and smart material choices all played a role in turning a potential setback into a successful restoration—getting Ludlow’s athletes back to their home field with confidence.
“Motz365 was on-site the day after the water receded. Their quick action, clear communication, and hands-on support got us back on track fast.” — Jason Steffen, Superintendent Ludlow Independent Schools
Ready to Get Started?
Interested in starting a project? Have questions about our process and products? Wherever you are in planning your dream field, we’re ready to walk through your specific needs, answer any questions you have, and talk through how our team of experts will be there to guide you every step of the way.
