Stamford Double Pitch ‘Exceeds Expectations’

Surfacing Standards Limited

SSL are proud to have delivered a significant sport facility development for the historic Stamford Endowed Schools.

SSL were appointed as project lead with a remit to provide a full design service, secure planning permission, and oversee the construction of a double hockey pitch facility.

Various specialist survey works were carried out, scrutinized by the SSL Team and factored into the design process in order to ensure a robust construction. By applying such attention to detail during the design stage, we were able to ensure the proposed development would be considerate from a planning permission perspective.

Stamford Endowed Schools Director of Estates & Facilities, Stewart Dorey commented;

“I recently had the pleasure of working with SSL and I have nothing but positive things to say about the experience.  From start to finish, they were professional, knowledgeable, and incredibly helpful in helping us determine the best course of action for our sports facility.  Not only did they provide us with a comprehensive evaluation of our current sports surface, but they also took the time to listen to our concerns and goals and amend the brief where required.  They were able to provide expert advice on the best materials and installation methods to meet our needs and budget.  Throughout the process, they kept us informed and up-to-date on progress and were always available to answer any questions we had.  The final result exceeded our expectations and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome.

I would highly recommend SSL to anyone in need of expert guidance and advice for their sports facility. Their expertise and professionalism truly set them apart from the rest”.

The facility, designed to achieve FIH National performance standards, includes two full size hockey pitches installed by SIS Pitches, both incorporating a certified sand dressed synthetic turf surface complete with contrasting coloured surrounds.

We are delighted to have played our part in enhancing the sports facilities at Stamford and also pleased to receive more positive feedback on the services provided by the SSL Team.

Basingstoke Hockey Club Praise Excellent SSL service

Surfacing Standards Limited

With extensive experience designing and delivering hockey pitches, SSL were appointed by Basingstoke & Deane Borough Council as their project consultants for a new floodlit sand dressed pitch at Down Grange Sports Complex.

A new hockey pitch is a major investment. There are very few club-owned hockey pitches in the UK and as part of the project development process, SSL believe it’s important to have a consultation process with the hockey club/clubs who will be using the facility.

And we are thrilled to receive glowing feedback from Basingstoke HC President Miranda Smith who commented;

“The service provided by SSL was excellent. As end users, we were delighted that SSL met with us to discuss all aspects of the build to ensure it met requirements of the hockey club. If any questions arose or any slight alterations requested, SSL were happy to talk through the technical aspects of what would work best. I was given a copy of the SSL’s technical specification which was excellent and really useful when answering the many questions from club members. I would definitely recommend SSL to anyone considering a hockey pitch project.”

The experienced SSL team worked with both the council and Hockey Club to develop a new facility that met their requirements, and ensured International Hockey Federation design guidance was considered throughout. SSL produced a contract specification and a tender process was carried out with numerous approved contractors submitting formal bids.

Using our extensive in-house expertise in planning application requirements, the SSL team worked to discharge all planning conditions to ensure the project could commence onsite.

The SSL team were then on hand to oversee the build process, finalising the formal contract documentation between council and contractor, chairing progress meetings and carrying out quality control checks at each key stage. Prior to handover SSL completed a comprehensive snagging survey before issuing project sign off.

We’re delighted the knowledge and experience of the SSL team was able to benefit both the council as client, but also the hockey club as key end user.

Hockey for Heroes Partnership Announcement

Surfacing Standards Limited

SSL are delighted to announce an exciting partnership with Hockey for Heroes.

Hockey for Heroes raise vital funds for Help for Heroes, a charity providing support for men and women that leave the Armed Forces as a result of physical or psychological wounds.

SSL Managing Director Steve Wilcockson explains, “The Hockey for Heroes team work tirelessly to raise funds to help wounded veterans to get on with their lives. As a former member of the armed forces I can appreciate what an incredibly important role they provide, not only for ex-military personnel, but also for their families and friends. At SSL we have strong links within hockey with approximately 1 in 10 of the hockey pitches in England certified by the FIH having benefitted from our independent consultancy services. The hockey club network needs access to better quality facilities and we look forward to providing our support to the Hockey for Heroes community”

Hockey for Heroes have been active since 2012 and use the sport of hockey to drive their fundraising. Joel Forrester, Managing Director commented “Hockey For Heroes are honoured to be officially partnering with Surfacing Standards, who are market leads in consultancy related synthetic pitch projects across the United Kingdom. We have experienced first hand the work of Surfacing Standards and have spoken with many of their clients. The feedback has always been exquisite, therefore It is our pleasure to support the Hockey community, by promoting the work of Surfacing Standards Ltd and introducing friends where possible.”

SSL specialise in synthetic turf pitches and provide a range of consultancy services from pitch advice & survey works, design drawings, planning applications, project specification and overall project management. As a fully independent consultant, SSL work to International Hockey Federation (FIH) requirements. In addition to new build facilities, SSL have extensive knowledge of pitch resurfacing – our acclaimed Pitch Condition Survey service has provided a vital resource for a large number of clubs/facility operators helping to plan and develop pitch refurbishment projects.

To learn more about Hockey for Heroes and hear the various ways that you can get involved and provide support, visit https://hockeyforheroes.co.uk/

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

Glowing Feedback for Bolton Pitch Refurbishment

Surfacing Standards Limited

Great feedback from another happy SSL client following the refurbishment of the synthetic pitch at Canon Slade School in Bolton!

The synthetic pitch, now in it’s 20th year since being constructed, is now benefitting from a complete refurbishment. Since re-opening the pitch has been used as a training base for Bolton Hockey Club as well as hosting a club initiative to get adults to learn to play hockey.

SSL were initially engaged by a key local funder of the project, who saw the value of engaging with a specialist consultant at an early stage. SSL carried out an extensive survey of the old synthetic pitch and provided the school with independent advice and options, including outline costings, of how the facility could be refurbished.

Following the tender process, administered by SSL, the construction phase commenced on 18th March. The old short pile synthetic turf and prefabricated shockpad was removed, some minor repair works carried out the pitch base, before a brand new insitu rubber shockpad and sand dressed synthetic turf was installed. To help protect the investment, drainage improvement works were also carried out given the facility had suffered from water ingress from an adjacent grassed bank for several years.

18th March 2019 – Works About to Commence

Following various quality control checks carried out by SSL throughout the works, with regular reports provided to the school, on 26th April the revamped facility was handed over for the school to use. With the works being deliberately programmed to coincide with the Easter Holidays, that ensured the pitch was only out of action for 20 school days, meaning minimal disruption to the school’s PE timetable and external community users.

26th April 2010 – Completed Refurbishment

Rachel Costello, Head of PE commented “The new surface is brighter and the two tone colour to distinguish the areas is a great idea for both staff and pupils. The work on laying the new surface was completed to a high standard and the new surface and shockpad is of excellent quality. Currently, the pitch is occupied 86% of available time by football and hockey clubs. We are really pleased with how efficient the team was in completing the project.”

Bespoke Synthetic Pitch for Withington Girls’ School

Surfacing Standards Limited

SSL are delighted to formally handover the reconstructed external sports facilities at Withington Girls’ School.

The project involved reconstruction of the school’s synthetic pitch which has also been performance tested as part of the FIH Quality Programme for Hockey Facilities. As part of the design, SSL incorporated customised team shelters and school logo’s within the synthetic pitch surrounds. This has created a bespoke facility that has immediately impressed both school staff and pupils alike.

Customised team shelters

The independent school, based in Manchester, selected SSL as project consultant to provide independent advice on options to refurbish the 20 year old synthetic turf pitch and upgrade the tarmac tennis courts. SSL’s consultants carried out feasibility work and provided outline cost options, all supported by extensive survey work of the old synthetic pitch.

Having provided an evaluation to the school on the different options available, SSL then developed a detailed schedule of works before administering a formal tender process on the school’s behalf.

After a final survey of the works, one of several carried out by SSL throughout the project, SSL confirmed that practical completion had been achieved and the facilities could be handed over to the school to put into use.

The project marks another successful sports facility project delivered by SSL within the UK independent school sector.

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

Surfacing Standards Limited

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.