LIGHTS TENT ACTION!
IT&C Ltd, together with Linde Gas Benelux, are bringing a new, innovative application to the turfcare industry, the ‘C-grO2w’ system, designed to promote the growth of grass in football stadiums and other sports facilities. Typically, stadium design and construction, with the limited sunlight in the climate we have, creates a problem where grass struggles to grow due to shady areas. The system solves that problem. It is a mobile, foldable greenhouse incorporating a slightly increased CO2
atmosphere, and
light assimilation together with the heat to promote growth. Steve Noel, the MD of IT&C Ltd., who is launching the system in the UK with the Linde Group says “There are existing lighting rigs in the marketplace, but the C- grO2w system is new technology, which we believe outperforms old technology in terms of running cost and growing rates. Our system uses fewer lights, which means our customers can save approximately 108kW/hr comparatively. The system works by initially covering a
limited area, after which it is resited to another spot ensuring a large area of turf can be treated.”
Tests have shown that even when
moved, the area of turf treated tends to benefit and carries on growing with better performance than before. The concept of the C-grO2w system comes from practices in agriculture which has long been growing tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers or flowers etc in greenhouses with an increased CO2 atmosphere.
In practice, the system produces
excellent grass growth, up to 10mm per day, all year round. More importantly the root growth is over 100mm in the winter periods, which is previously unseen. This increases the resistance of the grass and it recovers faster. The system is not just suited to football arenas but also grassed tennis courts where its unique design ensures that the system can be left unattended overnight, even when rain is forecast, ensuring that the covered area will stay dry. In situations where there is too much light then the system can be tailored to incorporate ideas like reduced light emitting material along with the CO2
growth. The first installation of the C-grO2w system was in December 2007 at FC
Groningen’s stadium in Holland. It was on the dark side of the stadium covering one- third of the pitch area - fifteen days comprising of 24 hours of application of light and CO2
under two 60 square metre
tents. “After the fifteen days the grass growth
was almost as strong as in the summer” said Dr. Rudolf Berghoff of Linde AG. “After a very short time the first benefits of the greenhouse effect were seen. The combination of light and CO2
gas is atmosphere to increase
excellent for growing grass in the stadium. The club are very pleased with the results - it’s the first time the groundstaff have mown strong grass in winter.” For further information email:
snoel@icetechc.com
Are playing fields really protected?
The Government has released figures claiming that 97% of planning applications affecting playing fields resulted in sports provision being either protected or improved. Fields in Trust (FIT - formerly the National Playing Fields association) applaud the increased investment in sports provision but are concerned that the actual position of playing fields in this country is not being accurately represented by these figures. The Department of Culture, Media and Sport’s new report merges the issues of indoor and outdoor sports provision to the detriment of outdoor facilities. Alison Moore-Gwyn, Chief Executive of Fields in Trust, said “In many cases the improvements refer to building indoor facilities on previously outdoor sites when these issues should be considered
independently. Whilst the value of indoor sports facilities is undeniable outdoor spaces fulfil a different and equally important function for sport. Playing fields are local, accessible and offer a great opportunity for people to participate in sport in a whole host of ways.” She continued “Fields in Trust work closely with government on these issues and, following the introduction of new legislation in 1998, real progress has been made in protecting school playing fields. Unfortunately, community playing fields are still vulnerable to development and there is far too much reliance on the planning system. FIT are firm advocators of seeking more imaginative means of protection through contract, land and charity law. Until the Department of Communities and Local Government make
significant strides to tighten the existing planning law and afford community playing fields the same protection that school playing fields enjoy, the problem will continue.” The threat to playing fields is very real - so far in 2008 Fields in Trust have been notified of 53 playing fields under threat. Alison Moore-Gwyn explains: “These figures really do drive home the extent of the problem. At FIT we hear of new threats to playing fields every single week and, knowing the damaging effect that loss of these sporting facilities can have, we are continuing to work to ensure all fields are awarded better protection for the future than the government currently provide.”
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108