Camp Randall Heated Field

Location: Madison, Wisconsin

Areas of Expertise: HVAC

Hooper’s Mechanical Division – HVAC team installed over 33 miles of PEX (Cross-linked Polyethylene) tubing and piping mains under the turf field at Camp Randall Stadium. Hooper worked closely with general contractor JP Cullen on this new field heating system, designed to accomplish two objectives for the University – increase the likelihood of hosting a post-season football game at Camp Randall and improve comfort and safety of student-athletes during cold weather games.

The tubing was placed on a gravel base, spaced every six inches on center and connected to wire mesh that was laid down to hold the tubing in place. Once the tubing was secured, it was covered with three inches of gravel before the new turf was installed. The new heated field maintains a consistent temperature as a mixture of water and glycol is pumped through the PEX tubing under the turf.

The overall construction timeline was just seven months, from December 2023 to June 2024. Hooper’s schedule was even shorter with completion needed prior to UW’s commencement ceremonies in early May.