Planet Swans ArchivesA pioneering pitch is being laid at Swansea’s £27 million sports stadium.
The pitch will be reinforced with plastic grass reinforcements to strengthen the playing surface and provide excellent playing conditions.
Work has already started on digging drainage trenches, and then a geo-textile membrane will be put in place before drainage pipes are laid.
The drainage installation will be able to suck excess moisture out of the pitch and blow air underneath it to keep it aerated and in excellent condition.
Plastic desso grass reinforcements will be inserted before the pitch is seeded. As the grass grows, the roots will wrap around the plastic inserts which will hold the pitch together more firmly than a normal pitch.
The pitch is being developed by leading international firm Hewitt Sportsturf which has pioneered new methods of natural pitch construction, above and below ground.
The company has also undertaken the pitch drainage at Arsenal’s training ground and the renovation of the pitch at Norwich City’s training base.
The 20,000-seat stadium, being developed by Swansea Council, will be home to the Ospreys regional rugby team and Swansea City when it opens for the 2005/6 season.
It is the first purpose-built football and rugby stadium in the country, and the construction phase is due to be completed by spring 2005.
Gerald Clement, Swansea Council Cabinet Member for Culture, Recreation and Tourism, said, “The stadium looks fantastic. It has already become a major landmark for the city and the region.
“It is now in the transition between a construction site and a state-of-the-art sport and leisure facility.
“The installation of the pitch is crucial to this. That is why we have chosen the leading experts in their field to carry out this important task.
“This will be a high-quality playing surface, capable of withstanding more wear and tear than most other pitches in Wales. Already, the floodlights are lighting up what will be a fine pitch, and the 20,000 seats will all be installed by the end of January.”
