... the groundstaffs first preference would be that it doesn’t happen at all


week period over 9000 man-hours of labour and over 170 truck movements were utilised just to keep the show on the road.


The Rola-Trac portfolio of equipment allows levels of protection to suit the application. People are rarely the problem. The impact of 2 people jumping up and down on a square metre is very low. At this end of the scale we can successfully accommodate our lightest weight product which is specifically designed for pedestrian access only.


The intermediate system, Supa-Trac, has been a hit wherever it has been used in 2005. The larger panels give a lot more flexibility. We tend to use it as a stage support pad. Also in front of the stage where impact can be high during the build and throughout the concert. Stage construction companies will utilise an area in front of the stage to store the structure during construction. In U2’s case some parts of the stage weighed in at over 10 tonnes. This was successfully constructed on the Supa-Trac prior to being lifted into place by the previously mentioned 80 tonne cranes. When it comes to the cranes there is


currently no alternative than to use Aluminium (Alli-Trac), as the axle weights of 15-16 tonnes have to be supported. It is all about maintaining the levels of the ground and we have to accept some distress to the grass as the systems cut out most air, light and water from hitting the ground. A large production will impact the playing area on one level or another for between 5 days at a minimum and up to 8 days at a maximum.


From the other side


It is fair to say that when confronted with the fact that a concert is going to take place that the groundstaffs first preference would be that it doesn’t happen at all. The realities are, for most venues, that it is a possibility. Upon coming to terms with the fact that a concert is going to take place then it is a good idea to get as much information as possible about what is coming your way. There is no doubt that preparation for


Laying Rola-Trac at Carrow Road - sorry about the nudity!


an event can have a massive impact on the outcome. Rola-Trac has worked with a lot of groundstaff who have all proved to be 100% committed to keeping their pitch in the best condition possible. Some have been more experienced and proactive than others and, in cases where the venue is a first time build for a concert, we will invariably advise the persons concerned to consult with their peers. Your industry is small and everybody seems to know everybody else which eases this process. Pre concert treatments vary but, on the whole, certainly involve anti-fungicide sprays and, on occasions, growth retardant treatments. Just before an installation we would usually request that the grass is cut to around 20-25mm. Always a significant factor will be the weather. In the UK we are fortunate to have a temperate climate (on the whole!) but we have to deal with extremes on occasions. For example, if you were to have a six day show with reasonably dry weather, and temperature around 20 degrees, then the chances are the impact on your turf for the most robust of productions would be minimal. If, on the other hand, you have 3 days of heavy rain during a build or a number of days where the temperature is extremely high, then there can be adverse effects. Planning for these eventualities before the event will make life easier after the show.


In effect what happens with a concert is you get a concentrated building site of intense activity for a 5-7 day period. This is carried out on ground that that is not designed in any way to facilitate such a project. Rola-Trac commit fully to making utmost efforts to returning the ground in the absolute best condition possible. At the same time venues have to be aware that, if there are extremes of weather, then there can be a knock on effect. It does not matter what you put on the ground around a stage build if you have several inches of rain. It will be affected no matter what. Minimising the effect is the name of the game. In terms of planning, direct communication with groundstaff from an early stage is vital. The chances are that there will be a 6 month build up for a


show and lines of communication need to be free. The most important components for the groundstaff to be aware of are the flooring providers and the stage builders. These are the people who will have the most effect on the outcome. Time needs to be spent discussing timings that suit. It can be a flexible process in that all the ground does not need to be covered at once. Schedules tend to work back from the time the act gets on to the stage. You can expect a production load in of speakers, lights etc., either on show day or the day before, and a 2-3 day stage builds prior to that. Rola-Trac is first in and last out. The


area where the stage is built is covered for the longest time. In normal circumstances we would arrive the day before the stage. If necessary, we build access roads around the ground or utilise tarmac outer tracks. We build a Supa- Trac pad where the footprint of the stage is set. This is capable of bearing 80 tonnes per square metre and easily deals with most stages. In some circumstances we take additional measures laying Alli- Trac panels on top to deal with exceptional ground loadings. The U2 stage at MCFC created loadings in excess of 120kn per square metre. The Desso Grass master pitch has approximate load bearing limits of 35Kn per m2. A combination of panels effectively bought the stage loading within acceptable parameters with no detrimental effect to the pitch. The usual method for a stage build will


require a crane to access the pitch. This is to build the towers and lift the roof on. A crane has to get to the centre front of the stage and, sometimes, to both sides. The bigger the crane the more it can do from a single position, and the quicker it gets the job done. A smaller crane is likely to move around more and take a bit longer. As always it is a compromise with our preference being toward operating the lightest plant possible to achieve the required results. If there is no choice, and the Crane has to be in excess of 60 tonnes, then a double thickness of Alli-Trac is the only option to protect the levels. This has been successfully done on a number of


the stage into place at the Majeski Stadium


A 35 tonne crane lifts


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