Blackburn Rovers Indoor Centre Re-vamped

Blackburn Rovers Indoor Centre (known locally as ‘the ‘BRIC’) is an indoor synthetic turf facility which first opened in the 1990s. The facility has recently undergone a comprehensive re-vamp and SSL, as the appointed sports pitch consultant, are proud of the end result.

SSL were engaged by facility operator the Blackburn Rovers Community Trust. The Trust, a registered charity, provide a vital resource to the local community with a programme of grassroots football and activities. 

Following our appointment, SSL conducted a feasibility study review of the old facility. Proposals for redevelopment were drawn up and agreed before SSL carried out a tender process where several specialist contractors were invited to submit priced tender bids for the works. 

The finished facility represents the culmination of various key design enhancements. The synthetic turf footprint has been reconfigured to introduce a spectator viewing corridor. In keeping with Blackburn Rovers club colours, blue coloured rebound boards and white coloured roof netting have been installed. The old roof lamps have been replaced with energy efficient LED lamps providing increased luminance levels in accordance with industry guidelines. The new surface system is a true ‘4G’ synthetic turf without any requirement for any loose infill material. Electric powered maintenance machinery was sourced to negate any risk of petrol fume inhalation given the enclosed indoor environment. The facility even includes a compliant sized walking football pitch.

SSL are certain that the impressive new facility will prove to be a key asset to help the Trust continue their excellent work for the local community.

The old facility

Uxbridge FC praise ‘invaluable service’ from SSL

SSL are proud to add the impressive 3G pitch at Uxbridge FC to an extensive list of non-league stadia pitch conversions.

With a capacity of almost 4000, the club’s Honeycroft home ground has been extensively redeveloped as the club aims to progress up the football pyramid. SSL were appointed by the club as sports pitch consultants to deliver the pitch redevelopment.

Prior to construction commencing, SSL’s role included site survey work, project design and securing planning permission. A formal tender process was administered with several experienced pitch builders submitting bids. A preferred contractor was identified and after preparing & issuing formal contract documents, SSL’s role continued throughout the construction phase providing the Step 4 club with independent quality control assurance and, ultimately, a successful project sign-off.

As Mark Bantock, Uxbridge FC Chairman, explains;

“Uxbridge Football Club have had a relationship with SSL for several years, originating when the initial concept of replacing our existing grass stadia pitch with a synthetic surface was first considered.

From the very beginning SSL have provided an invaluable service, incorporating the initial design, through the difficult planning stage and finally managing the installation process.

Whilst ours was not a straightforward design or install, it is inconceivable that we would have been able to manage the process without the knowledge and professionalism of SSL, and Wes Bugg in particular. We would have no hesitation and indeed have recommended SSL to other parties.”

After an almost 5 year process of advice, design development, planning and project management services, SSL are thrilled by the fantastic end result and the recognition from a happy client.

Drone images courtesy of Sports Surface Solutions.

Grammar School see SSL guidance as ‘invaluable’

SSL were pleased to provide consultancy services to help deliver a new football and rugby compliant 3G pitch for Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys in Canterbury.

Established in 1881, the school (also simply known as ‘The Langton’) is a foundation grammar school for boys and mixed sixth form catering for 11 to 18 year olds.

As well as providing design services, the SSL team were also on hand to carry out quality control checks at each key stage of the pitch build, providing sectional sign offs to give the school and project funders reassurance that the build was to specification and to a high quality.

And we are delighted to receive positive feedback from Darren Watson, Deputy Headteacher;

“Surfacing Standards were the consultants I used to help build our 3G pitch.  Their help, guidance and vision was invaluable and helped me realise exactly what was in my head; in fact, the finished pitch was better than I imagined.  They helped design the build, monitored progress and advised what was possible.  Personally, I would not take on a project like this without consulting a company like Surfacing Standards. I cannot recommend the (SSL) team highly enough.” 

SSL Deliver 3G for Cambridgeshire School

SSL played a key role in enhancing Hinchingbrooke School’s already extensive range of leisure facilities by overseeing the refurbishment of their 3G pitch.

The school is part of the ACES Academies Trust whose vision is to raise aspiration and achievement for the communities they serve.

Our detailed survey of the old pitch identified important information from which SSL could provide the Cambridgeshire school with a Feasibility report including accurate outline project costings. SSL then put together a schedule of works and contract specification on which to tender the project to several specialist pitch contractors.

SSL’s involvement didn’t end there with quality control inspections throughout the construction phase as well as chairing progress meetings and project handover.

Hinchingbrooke School has an extensive range of fantastic sports facilities that are available for hire when not in use by the students. We are pleased to see a fantastic end result with a 3G facility that will benefit both the school and the local community.

Striking Night-time Images of SSL Facility

Maximising community usage is a key consideration for the majority of 3G pitch installations. And these striking night-time images of the Madeley Ski Centre facility in Telford show just what can be achieved.

It’s now over 9 months since construction was completed on the SSL designed facility that meets both FIFA Quality & FIH Multi-Sport performance standards. The state-of-the-art floodlighting system incorporates the latest LED technology. As these images illustrate, light spillage is carefully controlled to keep light pollution over surrounding areas to a bare minimum. This has ensured that the facility, despite being in a rural setting, can be used outside daylight hours.

The project represents another carefully designed SSL synthetic pitch project that is now benefiting hundreds of community users and has been used for training purposes by AFC Telford United FC.

If you have a project requiring feasibility work and specialist sports pitch design input, contact us to discuss how our experienced team can assist.

Images courtesy of Musco Lighting.

Stunning 6 Pitch Facility Delivered by SSL

Surfacing Standards were pleased to be selected as consultant to deliver one of the largest sports pitch projects ever carried out for a UK education provider!

Set in 220 acres of North Yorkshire countryside, Queen Ethelburga’s College promotes standards to match the very best independent schools in the world. The Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI) awarded the College the top grading of ‘Excellent’ following an inspection in February this year.

When it was decided to make a significant investment to create a Sports Village, the College turned to experienced sports pitch consultants SSL to write a detailed design/specification before overseeing the construction of 6 new synthetic turf pitches.

The project created a site that can offer the complete sports development experience with different synthetic turf surface systems to provide elite level performance for various sports including football, rugby and hockey.

We recently took to the skies to fully appreciate the scale of the facilities – CLICK BELOW to download a video link to take a tour of this state-of-the-art development….

SSL provide key input to £200m Parklife programme

Jeffrey Humble Playing Fields  (image courtesy of Liverpool Council)

Just over two years since SSL produced various design options as part of a detailed Feasibility Study into this Liverpool Parklife project, the end result looks fantastic!

The scheme at Jeffrey Humble Playing Fields includes three floodlit 3G pitches, changing rooms, a gym and associated car parking. The development will be the home for the Walton and Kirkdale Junior Football League which boasts 38 teams.

It forms part of a £200 million programme to build multi-pitch Parklife hubs across the country and involves a partnership between the FA, the Premier League, local councils and local leagues, Sport England, the Government and the Football Foundation. 

At SSL we pride ourselves on attention to detail and providing a balanced approach to assessing the viability of different development sites. Being an independent consultant with extensive knowledge of sports facility development, SSL are delighted to have been involved in the Liverpool Parklife project, along with many other Parklife schemes across the country.

To hear more about the new facilities, including comments from the Mayor of Liverpool and Chief Executive of Liverpool City Council, please view the below article courtesy of the Liverpool Echo.  www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/liverpools-new-state-art-football-15239646

The Football Foundation, the country’s largest sports charity, are responsible for the delivery of the Parklife programme. For further information about Parklife  please visit www.footballfoundation.org.uk.

SSL deliver stunning facilities for The Manchester Grammar School

SSL are pleased to hand over an impressive new hockey pitch and tennis courts to one of the leading independent schools in the UK!

SSL were appointed by the School to carry out an initial Feasibility Study and outline design. SSL’s experienced team were able to provide expert advice prior to submitting a detailed planning application to Manchester City Council. Following approval, SSL provided a contract specification document accompanied by design drawings as produced by SSL’s in-house CAD design team. This enabled the project to be formally tendered to several specialist contractors.

A careful tender analysis process, based on both price and quality criteria, was carried out by SSL and a report provided to the School.

Following contract award, SSL managed the construction stage on behalf of the school, chairing progress meetings with the contractor Greenfields UK as well as carrying out key stage quality control inspections to provide independent verification that the works were being built to the required high quality standards.

And the end result looks impressive! Facilities include a new floodlit waterbased synthetic hockey pitch, synthetic turf tennis courts and tarmac MUGA/overspill car park. SSL are sure the new development will only serve to enhance the top-class reputation of one of the UK’s leading educational establishments!

A short video illustrating the new facility can be viewed below….

Quality Pitch for Coventry University

SSL were delighted to be selected by Coventry University to assist with the resurface of the synthetic turf hockey pitch at their Westwood Heath site. The pitch has recently been awarded FIH National certification confirming that the facility has been resurfaced to the highest standard.

Having been employed in the early stages of the project to provide the University with independent design advice and guidance, SSL’s experienced staff were on hand to provide quality assurance via a series of key stage surveys.

SSL have provided a high quality service to a number of Universities and higher educational institutions in recent years, with this project marking the most recent impressive example.

Ryan Giggs impressed with SSL designed pitch

It’s always good to receive positive feedback. But when the person giving feedback is a 13-time Premier League winner and current Welsh National Team Manager, that’s even better!

SSL were delighted to play a key role in the 3G resurface of the synthetic pitch at Plas Arthur Leisure Centre on the Isle of Anglesey.The new facility was officially opened by Welsh National Team Manager Ryan Giggs, and assistant Osian Roberts. Speaking at the opening, Giggs commented;

“It’s a great facility…I only wish I had this sort of surface whilst I was playing”.

Images kindly provided by Anglesey County Council

As specialist sports pitch consultants, SSL were employed by facility development experts Alliance Leisure to prepare a detailed construction specification and design drawings. This was issued to specialist contractors to price against, with Dura-Sport Ltd securing the contract. When the works progressed onsite, SSL’s experienced team carried out quality control inspections to provide reassurance that the expected high quality construction standards were being achieved.

The opening of the pitch was marked by a tournament featuring pupils from the island’s five high schools. SSL are pleased to have played an important part in delivering what is the first full size 3G pitch on the Isle of Anglesey, a major investment by Isle of Anglesey County Council.

The FAW Trust play a key role in growing football participation and a video of the 3G pitch opening can be viewed via their website;

http://www.fawtrust.cymru/get-inspired/news/wales-manager-ryan-giggs-opens-angleseys-first-3g-pitch/