Successful pitch design from the inside out

Introduction

    Constructing stadia for long term performance means planning in the right elements at the right time.  Even if the primary function of a stadium construction is to facilitate a major international event, it is important that 1st class facilities are developed not only for the few weeks during that event, but that they form part of an enduring legacy that will benefit many people for many years.  This is particularly pertinent to facilities that incorporate a natural turf playing surface because the provision of spectator ergonomics dominate design criteria, often to the detriment of the green bit in the middle of the stadium.  With this in mind, the thrust of this article is to provide an insight into a range of factors that need to be considered during the design phase of a project in order to produce a sustainable natural turf facility because, after all, without the green bit, there will be no show!

The creation of an environment within which turf will thrive is crucial to long term sustainability.  There are plenty of examples around the world where this has not been achieved as a result of an oversight during the design phase and where the legacy is a facility that is difficult to manage, costly to sustain, and where the enjoyment of participants and spectators alike is irreversibly compromised.

The application of science and engineering to the design and construction of natural turf facilities has a lot to offer the industry however long-established, basic, principles are invariably ignored. 

The purpose of this editorial is merely to provide an overview of some of the key elements that influence the ultimate sustainability of natural turf facilities.

The Natural System
Soil Type
Water Movement Through Soil
Irrigation Water Requirements
The Decline In Turf Condition Following Construction
Soil and Air Temperature
Light Levels
Ventilation
Weather