Natural
and artificial sportsground contractors White
Horse Contractors (Northern) have recently completed the design and
construction of a new state-of-the-art 3rd generation artificial
surface and three artificial cricket wickets at Trinity Academy in
Halifax.
After
a competitive tender process, White Horse Contractors (Northern) were
appointed by the main contractor, Carillion Building, to provide a 3G
artificial grass surface predominately used for football, but also to
FIH requirements. Adjacent to the STP, a synthetic three strip netted
cricket facility was also constructed.
The
site for the installation had been cut in to the existing slope above
the academy. Half the pitch was constructed on underlying rock, with
the other half of the pitch being constructed on consolidated crushed
materials from the old school. The resulting reduction in vehicle
traffic, retention of valuable void space in landfills and minimising
waste were all practical "˜green' benefits, meaning that there was
minimal disruption to the local residents.
"Cutting
drains through both materials provided a challenge," said Jim
Crabbe, White Horse Contractors (Northern) Contracts Director. "The
entire construction required to be self-attenuating to reduce the
overall site drainage discharge. The rock strata proved sufficiently
porous to allow drains to discharge in to under pitch soak-aways."
Construction
commenced in March 2013, with the site promptly being buried in heavy
snow. Once a thaw set in, work recommenced and the project was
completed on time and on budget, which is testament to the specialist
in-house staff and plant at the company's disposal.
The
facility now boasts a 40mm pile, sand and rubber filled artificial
surface on a macadam base and with a 15mm shock pad.
