CONSTRUCTION METHODS FOR PUBLIC SECTOR AND PROFESSIONAL SPORTS PITCHES: A REVIEW

There are many different designs for sports turf construction and drainage and it is important that the methods selected are compatible with the requirements of the client. In particular, construction and management costs needs to be matched to drainage design rates, intended levels of use, and expectations of pitch quality. This can lead to major contrasts in the design of pitches: for professional sport, expectations for drainage efficiency and playing quality are much higher, whereas for public sector pitches cost-effectiveness and future management requirements assume much greater importance. There have been several studies in which the performance of different construction systems have been compared. In general, the use of sand-dominated rootzones improves water infiltration rates, grass cover retention and the consistency of the playing surface thus avoiding the soft, waterlogged conditions associated with many soil based pitches in the winter months. However, the performance of sand-dominated pitches is strongly influenced by the type of sand used and the mixing ratio of sand to the native soil or other amendment material. Poorly selected rootzones may have inadequate infiltration rates while excessively coarse materials may be drought susceptible and lack stability. In particular, over-use of sand-dominated rootzones may lead to an unstable playing surface, requiring high management inputs to produce acceptable playing performance. For public sector pitches, slit drainage can be a cost-effective method of construction but this is dependent on the initial drainage design and the use of heavy sand dressings to prevent sealing of the surface of the slits.