SYNTHETIC SURFACES
Long-term Benefits of
MAINTENANCE
SAPCA’s Colin Young outlines the importance of regular
sports surface maintenance and discusses the key principles
and benefits from a financial and longevity perspective
T
he use of synthetic sports surfaces specific product and its specific needs. The maintenance requirements will
has grown significantly in the UK Companies should always provide clients differ according to the type of surface
since the 1970s, but the miscon- with a handbook (operations manual) and its usage. The usage of a facility
ception remains within certain outlining the particular maintenance should be carefully planned to ensure
sections of the marketplace that they re- requirements of their surface. one particular area is not overused, such
quire little or no maintenance. Not only as the goal mouths of a football pitch or
is this detrimental to their playing qual- Basic Principles of Maintenance the inside lanes of a running track. While
ity, but through premature ageing and Maintenance processes will differ be- this is sometimes unavoidable, care
replacement of sports surfaces it inevita- tween surface types but the basic should be taken to use the facility evenly
bly also reduces the effective benefit of principles and objectives are the same: as far as possible. If some areas are used
investment in sports facilities. • Remove detritus from the surface more frequently than others the main-
Maintenance is of vital importance • Apply treatments to reduce/impede tenance at these locations should reflect
if a sports surface is to remain good to the growth of plant life these variations.
look at, to perform consistently at the • Clean and power wash the surface
required standard, to retain its perme- to remove plant life, dirt and other
ability and last a long period of time. contamination
Indeed, the surface’s guarantee will usu- • Re-distribute the loose elements of
ally be conditional on the maintenance the surface (filled surfaces only ie
requirements being carried out with rea- synthetic turf or clay)
sonable diligence. The recommendations • Repair broken elements of the surface
of the surface installer or manufacturer • Ensure the equipment (goals and
should be followed at all times as they netting etc) is safe and in good
will have the best knowledge of their working order
The usage of a sports facility
should be carefully planned
to ensure a particular area is
not overused
Issue 4 2009 © cybertrek 2009 Read Sports Management online
sportsmanagement.co.uk/digital 45
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