Winter pitch renovation
It gives me great pleasure to welcome you to our new Newsletter, whether you are an existing or prospective client of Grassform Ltd. We pride ourselves in our work, and welcome those of you have used our services before to re-book early for your winter maintenance work and for those who have not, perhaps contact myself or one of the team and tell us your requirements. Each sports facility and pitch is different, not only in construction or climate, but also in terms of the finance available to maintain it. We offer various packages to suit any requirement, so contact us now to avoid disappointment.
Proven track record
We have tendered, quoted and successfully carried out hundreds of projects across a wide range of winter sports surfaces, ranging from Sunday league club football grounds right up to those of Premiership teams (for more information read one of our Client Projects). In rugby, we have and are currently working on National league grounds around the south east corner of England. With excellent relationships with the funding bodies of both football and rugby, Grassform is able to work with a club to gain the most value for their investment. We offer expert advice, both practical and agronomical, to ensure that you receive the desired results given your pitch conditions and budget.
Grassform score a winner with West Ham United
Extensive renovation.
When West Ham United purchased its Little Heath Academy training ground in 2001 it was obvious to Head Groundsman Doug Robertson that an extensive renovation programme was required. His wish has now come true thanks to Essex based sports field contractors Grassform Ltd., who have completed a wide-ranging project consisting of surface levelling, drainage, re-seeding and other tasks. The site, now complete, hosts youth football for the West Ham United academy youngsters ranging in age from seven to eighteen, over an average of four games per week.
Complete drainage system.
Grassform’s team consulted with Doug Robertson to design a renovation scheme that would ensure Little Heath was playable during even the harshest of weathers, and set to work on the project in May 2006 using a Koro Field topmaker to remove the original grass and upper topsoil structures. Over the four hectare (ten acre) site, which consists of two full size pitches, one three quarter size pitch, two sixty by forty metre pitches and various grid training areas, Grassform installed a primary drainage system across its entirety with a secondary system on the two full size pitches. Within three months the players were back training for pre-season in late July 2006. In May 2007 work began on secondary drainage on the remaining areas to fulfil the project design requirements. The extent of works included a very heavy dressing of sand across the site to ensure a flat and level surface, plus Grassform also formed and shaped banks around the site using excavated soil to boost security.
Exact requirements.
Doug Robertson, who has been with West Ham United for eleven years since joining from the Scottish RFU at Murrayfield, has nothing but praise for the quality and expertise shown by Grassform. “I am very happy with the professionalism shown by Grassform. For a company that we had not used previously we have found them to be very courteous to any extra tasks not in their original remit, such as forming and shaping the banks at Little Heath. I found that the foreman was able to make on the spot decisions and hence the project was completed ahead of schedule with pitches ready for our pre-season training needs.” Doug continues in saying, “the company is communicative and flexible enough to encourage input from us as the client, meaning that the finished result was exact to our requirements. “I would have no hesitation in recommending Grassform to other clubs and facilities, and in fact I already have done so” he concludes.
Grassform returned to West Ham United to carry out further pitch renovations in May 2008
The 4 key ways to help improve your pitch condition.
When planning and maintaining a pitch, the future renovation and remedial work processes post season (or even mid season) must be understood and budgeted for to ensure a fully playable facility. A sound playing surface not only ensures less injuries but also reduces cancelled games through difficult playing conditions and a potential loss of revenue in some instances. Grassform’s 4 key pitch maintenance options can be specified either individually or together to increase your pitch condition and remove the risk of cancelled games.
1. Full specification drainage.
Grassform offer a full bespoke drainage design and construction service for the most simple up to the most complicated system. We utilise specialist chain and wheel trenching machines with laser levelling to give positive falls to the outlet. Both primary mains and laterals are installed using pipes, adding a secondary sand slitting matrix above to promote water flow to the primary network.
2. Verti-Draining.
Experiencing a surface water problem? An ideal solution is Verti-Draining. Producing 25mm diameter holes to a depth of 300mm, our Charterhouse verti drain machine allows surface drain away, shatters pans and aerates in one pass. Suitable for most situations, Verti Draining allows immediate playability. We hire with our own tractor at a very competitive rate, ensuring that the pitch or area is completed as and when you need it.
3. Sand Spreading.
Sand spreading onto a surface gives several benefits, including increased drainage capability and a more level surface. Percolation of water into the surface and into primary/secondary drainage also increases with sand application. We use a specialist “Ultra Spreader” drop spreader to give an even carpet of sand, loaded with a skid steer loader or excavator. We offer competitive hire rates for a daily or weekly basis. Please contact us for more information.
4. Shockwave.
Another technique in the battle against pitch deterioration is the Imants Shock-wave. This machine not only de-compacts the upper surface (up to 250mm) but by cutting slits at 300mm centres creates cracks and fissures within the soil structure to give greater aeration. A skilled operator with our tractor could be your answer to a revived pitch, and we hire daily or weekly dependent on your needs.
“Try-ing” to get the best rugby pitch maintenance.
Harsh usage.
A rugby surface gets as much bashing and bruising as the players who play on it. Not only does the game tend to be played in wetter conditions (in fact, it seems rugby players seem to enjoy this more!) but the pitch must be ready for a match the next day or for mid-week training even after 80 minutes. Constant surface ripping due to 16 pairs of boots in scrums means that areas of a rugby pitch needing attention will vary from football pitches, where the penalty area and goal mouth require the most work. Grass is also less prominent in its growth during the rugby season, when the temperatures are low and rain is usually at its highest, meaning less sward cover and more mud baths.
Maintenance vital.
Games in rugby tend not to be called off due to weather on such a regular basis as with football, so the pitch requires an excellent primary if not secondary drainage network. Along with this, a regular maintenance programme involving sand application, aeration, decompaction and rolling. Although not seen by the players, supporters or committee, drainage is the key aspect meaning more water can be dispersed from the surface which results in less cutting up and therefore wear and tear. Without a carefully coordinated and implemented plan, pitches can soon become unplayable in the season and unusable during the off season for other sports or tournaments.
Complete renovation packages.
Grassform can provide not only a full winter pitch maintenance service but also an Annual Renovation Package, allowing a fixed cost to be agreed for a full service, and therefore no hidden costs. Working with a designer and agronomist, we offer you the best solution to suit the pitch’s topography, soil type and to a club’s budget. Our no nonsense approach has led us to work with many top level rugby clubs, and we have recently implemented drainage systems into both Fullerians and Cheshunt rugby clubs. To discuss your rugby pitch maintenance and drainage requirements, contact us now. Both will be able to offer you sound advice based on many years of experience.
To download this newsletter as a PDF CLICK HERE