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.” 

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….

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/