Actually the cost of upkeep for grass fields is between 20-30k a year with the cost of chemicals, gas and mower upkeep, and paying someone do the job. Not to mention the cost and time for painting the field. The majority of the initial cost of turf is the bae layer. Most turf fields have a 10-12 year replacement life and all that has to be replaced is the actual turf which is less than half of the initial cost. Once you save the money that you would put into upkeep of natural grass and money made for other uses for the turf the replacement cost is offset. Plus you never have to worry about poor field conditions for weather and late in the season.