Pitch Reconstruction for Parklands High School

SSL delivered an impressive reduced infill 3G pitch at Parklands High School in Chorley, in advance of the planned completion date and within project budget.

Aspirational Futures Multi-Academy Trust made the decision to replace the existing synthetic pitch at Parklands High School in Chorley with a high quality 3G pitch, selecting SSL to act as consultants to assist throughout the process.

SSL dealt with 4 main phases for the Trust; surveying the old pitch, the tender process, construction stage duties and post construction support.

The previous pitch base was upgraded to an engineered construction design providing a 25 year warranty on stability of the construction, ensuring the precise tolerance levels required to support a 3G pitch are achieved and maintained. The new surface system includes a underlying shockpad which helps to improve the player experience and reduce the quantity of loose infill required within the 3G turf itself. The pitch drainage system was improved with issues with the old outfall point being rectified as well as a new interceptor drain being added to prevent surface water flowing on to the synthetic turf from an adjacent grassed bank.

Following completion of the works the new pitch was tested to confirm compliance to FIFA Quality requirements which gained the facility a place on the FA 3G Pitch Register for a 3 year period before a re-test will be due.

The Trust couldn’t be happier with the final result. Carol Slater, Chief Finance & Operations Officer commented; “As SSL state ‘their expertise goes beyond the surface’ and I would highly recommend using the experts at Surfacing Standards Limited. They have been indispensable to the trust and I look forward to working with them again on any future projects within our family of schools.”

Aggregate base rectification works
Macadam base installed

SSL project continues to meet high standards at Queen Ethelburga’s

Quality is never short term with a Surfacing Standards project!

Having been selected by Queen Ethelburga’s College to act as sports pitch consultant to develop a detailed design/specification before overseeing the project build, the water based hockey field continues to maintain exceptional quality standards having recently passed a re-test to FIH Global Performance standards.

SSL officially handed over the hockey field back in January 2015 as part of a stunning project to deliver six (yes six!) new synthetic turf pitches covering an area of 38,000m2. This created an outstanding sports village that could offer the complete sports development experience with different accredited pitch surface systems to cater for hockey, football and rugby. It marked the development of the largest private facility of this type in the North of England.

The successful re-test carried out by an independent FIH accredited test-house serves to demonstrate the quality and longevity of the design implemented by Surfacing Standards, together with the quality of the build and effective ongoing maintenance procedures.

SSL Provide the Platform for Buxton FC Academy

SSL are delighted with the news that Evo-Stik North Premier League team Buxton FC will next year be launching their own Academy to develop the stars of the future.

Earlier this year SSL were engaged by EvoStik league partners GreenFields UK to assist with detailed design work in order to convert Buxton’s natural turf stadium pitch into a state-of-the-art 3G synthetic facility.

The pitch was designed to meet both FIFA Quality and World Rugby Performance Standards which has ensured the Stadium can provide for dual-usage with Buxton Rugby Club also playing there.

With Buxton FC being established back in 1877, the development marked an important moment in the club’s long history, one which will also help future progression.

Speaking to footballtradedirectory.com, Buxton FC Chairman David Hopkins commented: “We are delighted with our new pitch which overnight, alongside the obvious commercial oppor­tuni­ties, allows us to at last fully engage with our local community“.

SSL are pleased to have played a part in this project and look forward to working on further stadium projects in the near future.

(image courtesy of footballtradedirectory.com)

Stadium conversion in Oldham continues to impress

This week marks 18 months since we formally handed over the impressive synthetic pitch at the VestaCare Stadium in Oldham (formerly Whitebank Stadium). Surfacing Standards were the appointed specialist pitch consultants to prepare design options, write and submit the planning application before managing the construction phase itself and carrying out key stage inspections. Funded by Oldham Council, the new 3G stadium pitch has significantly improved sports provision in the local area. The stadium, which has hosted amateur league football since the 1930’s, is the proud home to ambitious North West Counties league Avro FC. The pitch is also used by Oldham RLFC, with the surface specifically designed to RFL playing standards allowing competitive rugby usage. 

The service and expertise provided by Surfacing Standards did not go unnoticed – Avro FA Chairman Robert Fuller comments “They are a great company. Any club thinking of getting any major pitch should get in touch

Construction was by GreenFields UK

Hertfordshire 3G resurface completed ahead of programme

Designed & project managed by SSL, the 3G resurface project at The Knights Templar School, Hertfordshire was completed within budget AND ahead of programme.

Thanks to additional survey works proposed by SSL prior to contract start, we were able to provide the client greater project cost certainty whilst enabling the old pitch to be kept in use for the maximum amount of time. This ensured less disruption to the School and local users.