With the UK’s
leading sporting associations continuing to invest heavily in 3G astroturf
sports pitches, Aggregate Industries is reminding contractors that effective
drainage has never been more important to the successful design and management
of these all-weather surfaces.
It comes as recent
findings by the Football Association show that just one in three football
pitches at grassroots level is currently of adequate quality - a stark
statistic the sporting body hopes to address by building over 400 new 3G
pitches by 20211.
At the same time, UK
average rainfall is increasing, with wetter summers and higher annual rainfalls
predicted to increase further in the coming years - placing a greater emphasis
on the essential role drainage plays when it comes to the construction of these
much-needed synthetic pitches.
Tom Wise, General
Manager for Aggregate Industries’ Garside Sands Division, comments: “As more
and more sports clubs are investing in their facilities, particularly with the
ongoing large-scale construction of 3G pitches to boost grassroots level sport,
the importance of correct maintenance has risen to the top of the agenda for
many.
Traditionally, 3G
surfaces consist of three layers; the top pile of artificial grass blades is
supported by an infill rubber crumb and a thin layer of sand.
“However, what’s often
overlooked is the vital role that infill silica sands play in providing an
effective drainage system for the pitch. This in turn is key to ensuring
playability in all weather conditions and guaranteeing the legacy of these
high-tech surfaces will last the test of time.”
According to
Aggregate Industries, essential to a superior drainage system is the use of
silica sand infills such as ProPitch Elite, an innovative solution made from
larger rounded particles in order to provide superior void space, making it
ideal for synthetic sports pitches exposed to extreme weather conditions.
Reducing the risk of flooding, independent
tests have proven ProPitch Elite to have the best drainage rates available to
the UK market, draining a record 116% better than the most popular competitor
sand. This means it is particularly suited to not only 3G surfaces, but also
tennis courts, hockey pitches and bowling greens, which require shorter pile
carpets where the sands layer is crucial in offering stability to the carpet
fibres as well as draining fast enough to guarantee there is no standing water
during a game.
Tom adds: “Investing in a new pitch and playing field is a
huge undertaking, and with higher than average rainfall predicted over the
coming years, the risk of flooding has increased exponentially across many
areas of the UK. Hence for sports clubs looking to provide a world class
surface, it has become increasingly paramount to utilise the latest innovative
materials such as ProPitch Elite, which has super absorbent properties that
have been proven to aid with effective drainage.”
