SSL deliver UK’s first ‘dry’ hockey pitch!

Surfacing Standards Limited

Fantastic to be able to deliver our 5th sports pitch project at Down Grange Sports Ground in Basingstoke, this one being a UK first with the facility being a ‘dry’ hockey pitch surface, the very latest in sustainability.

Following opening for use, the innovative pitch has accommodated training sessions with Team GB Olympic hockey players as part of their preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Historically elite level hockey players have preferred to play on wet hockey fields with slicker ball roll seen as preferable. Elite hockey fields have for some time used water cannons to provide the preferred playing surface conditions. Under environmental pressure, the industry has sought to develop hockey turfs that retain the desired characteristics, but without using water. The latest facility delivered by SSL at Down Grange Sports Complex is the very first in the UK that utilises this new surface technolgy.

A wide array of our sports industry talent and quality have been portrayed across this site with 4 different sports pitch contractors and 3 different surfacing suppliers. Each project was designed, project managed and led by SSL utilising our independent advice that enables our clients to receive the best and most competitive solutions from what the industry has to offer.

The project was led by SSL Director Wesley Bugg who commented;

“It is a pleasure to see vast improvements to the sports facilities that I used to play on growing up locally and still see when visiting family in Basingstoke and the surrounding area. SSL have longstanding experience delivering high quality hockey facilities across the UK and we are delighted to be at the forefront of the very latest innovative solution for the hockey community.”

SSL client is Independent Secondary School of the Year for the North West!

Surfacing Standards Limited

SSL are delighted to hear that Withington Girls’ School has been named North West Independent Secondary School of the Year by The Sunday Times and also regained its position in the top 25 elite independent schools in the UK.

Having been engaged with as sports pitch consultant to deliver the reconstruction of the 20 year old synthetic hockey pitch at the school’s site in South Manchester, SSL are thrilled that the dedication and passion of the staff, pupils and everyone involved at the school has been recognised.

And there is cause for double celebration as the redeveloped synthetic hockey pitch has recently achieved FIH (International Hockey Federation) National certification. This means that the SSL designed facility meets all requirements of the FIH Quality Programme for Hockey Turf. Tests include measurements of how the ball interacts with the playing surface, ensures the surface provides well-being and protection for players and includes checks to confirm the pitch has been built to the dimensions, line marking, slope & surface drainage requirements of the FIH.

This means that the facility meets hockey performance standards that are recognised internationally, something that is certainly something the school can be very proud of.

To hear more about the project and the role SSL played, take a look at the project video…

SSL at Withington Girls’ School

Hockey Club Delighted with SSL Consultancy

Surfacing Standards Limited

SSL were pleased to be chosen as specialist sports pitch consultant by Chelmsford Hockey Club and Chelmsford City Council, for a joint project to resurface two synthetic hockey pitches.

Chelmsford Hockey Club boast 16 senior sides and the support provided by SSL throughout the project was vital. As Club President Spencer Wilcox explains; “From a hockey perspective, we’re delighted with both pitches. They play consistently well and have drawn favourable comments not just from members, but also visiting sides. Our pitch is used by juniors aged 5 right up to vets in their 70s so it is genuinely supporting hockey across the generations!…We’re also hosting the O40s regional finals for the second time in June – and hope to get the same favourable comments from the guys (some of whom are ex-internationals) as we got last year. Our pitch is also used by Essex HA for junior and development coaching. As for SSL, we and the council wouldn’t have wanted to enter into this joint project without the support of a consultancy firm – and SSL did an excellent job for us at a sensible cost. So many thanks for that!”

Having been engaged to carry out a condition survey on both facilities, SSL first provided outline costings for different possible design solutions before preparing a construction specification to enable a competitive formal tender process to take place.

Several tenders were received by contractors bidding to secure the contract. SSL completed a detailed commercial analysis of each bid to ensure like for like comparison before assessing each bid against quality criteria.

When works commenced onsite, SSL were on hand to complete a schedule of key stage inspections and also ensure material samples were collected and laboratory tested to confirm compliance with the specification.

With the performance of the shockpad layer being so critical to hockey performance, SSL ensured the existing shockpad layers to both pitches were thoroughly tested as part of the project.

The double pitch resurface provides another important hockey pitch project completed by SSL. And we’re pleased to once again receive such positive feedback from a UK hockey club!

Quality Pitch for Coventry University

Surfacing Standards Limited

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.