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SPORTS TURF CONSULTANTS
Total Turf Solutions One resource for all your turf care needs
The tts culture is based on its independence.
tts embodies a new generation of turf consultants combining experienced and practical groundsmen with in-depth technical knowledge.
For more information on how tts can improve your playing surfaces and contribute effective resource management to your organisation, don’t hesitate to call.
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SWEEPERS KERSTENSWEEPERS
We offer the largest and most comprehensive range of pedestrian hydraulic propelled equipment and sweeping attachments
SALES • SERVICE • PARTS Kersten (UK) Ltd. Reading RG7 3AH
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www.kersten-machines.com TOPDRESSING & LOAM
From village green to county ground
Boughton Kettering, Club and County Loams
Sourced locally and analysed to establish compatability and conformity.
Supplied dried and sterilised or untreated for construction projects
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www.boughton.co.uk Telephone: 01536 510515
Top quality dressings
Kaloam & Ongar Loam • Fertilisers Specialist grass seeds, machinery & tools
Contact: Andy Hodges - Tel:01202 537777
sales@roffey.ltd.uk
TREES Use Airforce
Outstanding technology for the restoration of Turf and Trees
Airforce Terralift machinery
root feeding to one metre deep
the Waterloo Green and recommended by Bowls Manager Jim Parker
TERRAIN AERATION
T: 01449 673783 F: 01449 614564 email:
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TRIMMERS As recently used on Deep aeration and The advanced
Contact: Alan Ford - Tel:0870 242 1090
Alan.ford@
monrogoundrey.co.uk www.monrogoundrey.co.uk Contact: Philip Furner - Tel:01277 890246
sales@binderloams.co.uk www.binderloams.co.uk
The Millennium Stadium provides a superb sporting and concert arena, but is very challenging for the growth of good pitches. The lack of light, as shown by an STRI hemiview light study, was insufficient for growth for much of the year, and a rapid decline in sward quality often occurred.
By STEVE GINGELL STRI Southern Area Manager
T
he Millennium Stadium pitch is based on a palletised system and is
kept in the stadium for the two playing periods from around August to November and January to May. When necessary the pallets are stored off site. The pallet fill consists of an aggregate drainage base, Fibresand added rootzone and deep turf. There is approximately 200mm of rootzone.
In the past the condition of the pitch has been criticised and a number of returfing activities have been required to maintain a good surface during the playing season. Early photographs show more bare ground than grass. The need to returf during a playing period proves to be both labour intensive and costly. The key aim of Lee Evans, the Head Groundsman, is to maintain a good surface throughout each playing period without the need to returf in season.
Pitch moves
At the end of a playing cycle, the palletised system is lifted and removed to the off site storage area. The sward is not grown as a pitch outside of the stadium. This is partly due to the lack of suitable pitch sized
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space in the city and the fact that the pitch in effect becomes 7,000 1.2m x 1.2m squares. Particular difficulty with regard to developing a pitch surface is the very large number of potential joins (28,000), not to say anything of the low light environment, which increases the risk of poor rooting and the turf cutting up. When the pitch is returned to the stadium, the surface is Koroed-off to remove any vegetation, cultivated and additional rootzone is added, as necessary, prior to returfing. Lee employs a contractor to
returf the pitch. Currently this is done using 1.2m x 15m 40mm thick turf, but this may increase to 2.0m wide turf. This is laid in a 24-hour period. The ‘Big Roll’ turf results in very few turf joins and, hence, less risk of lifting under play. Following laying, the turf would be strong enough to play on immediately, but the general consensus is to allow a two week period to settle in. This allows Lee and his team to develop the surface.
In the future it is hoped that
custom-grown turf will be used to prevent any incompatibility between turf rootzone and that in the pallets. The grass mixture is mainly ryegrass with some smooth-stalked meadow-grass. The smooth-stalked meadow-
TOPDRESSING & LOAM
Case Study
MILLENNIUM STADIUM
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