I've heard everybody bitch about the Soldier Field turf, but never a word about the Halas Hall practice field turf until this. When other people speak up and confirm this is a real problem I'll believe it, till then I consider this sour grapes bullshit.
Soldier field's playing field was designed to be like the practice facility, so they are basically the same. First, it's not turf, it's Kentucky blue grass. The grass is installed over a deep layer of sand and peat moss for drainage and a custom heating system to promote root growth in the sod.
The difference is that Soldier field has multiple venues such as soccer games and concerts that trash the field during the season. The park districts grounds crew then has to completely re sod the field, and when the weather turns, the new sod doesn't get the sunlight for the roots to grow enough to properly hold.
What happens is players make their cuts and tear up huge chunks of sod, much like a golf divot. The practice faculty might have some similar issues, but I just can't see it being of the same magnitude that Soldier field has with all their venues.
Plus, the Bears also have an indoor practice facility when there is inclimate weather with turf. The Bears have never considered artificial turf at this point as their studies always shows that real grass produces less injuries.
Having said all that, I've always been a fan of the hybrid grass/turf stuff they have at Lambeau, but the Chicago Park district controls all that stuff and that would probably put a lot of union guys out of work.