Artificial Surfaces


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I can’t help but think there will be a further advancement in surface types in the future, which represents a positive and constant challenge to grounds managers and facility managers


2nd and 3rd generation terminology can be a bit confusing, but the term 3rd generation was first used when long pile synthetic grass surfaces, that are back filled with rubber and sand infill material, were brought to market. Since then, I even hear of 4th and 5th


generation terminology being used to describe essentially the same product types, but with different types of infill or no infill at all. This is okay, as generic wording makes language simpler to use, but sometimes clarification is needed when specific surface types are being referred to or a specific maintenance issue or technique needs prescribing. It is worth noting that some governing bodies do not recognise this terminology. Synthetic grass manufacturers are


constantly looking at ways of developing these surface types, and the manufacturing market has certainly developed from Europe out to the Far East where there are now a plethora of suppliers manufacturing grass in very modern, up to date factories, providing competition for the more traditional European and North American markets. I can’t help but think there will be a further advancement in surface types in the future, which represents a positive and constant challenge to grounds managers and facility managers to devise up to date and appropriate maintenance programmes and methodologies that meet the needs of the user and surface type to provide safe, exciting surfaces and facilities for the end user.


Facility Procurement - Funded and Non- Funded Projects


When a client goes to market to purchase a new synthetic or artificial facility, funding is


98 I PC FEBRUARY/MARCH 2015


key. Procurement of such a facility can be influenced by internal and external funding providers, such as governing bodies, charities or, sometimes, individuals. It is also not unusual for there to be a mix of funders, with the client putting up part of the money and other elements being funded by a variety of providers. Some of the governing bodies have specific procurement routes to market, whereby they would have certain requirements as a pre-requisite to releasing money to the project. This could involve the use of specialist consultants and specific contractors who have been vetted and verified as being suitable advisors or builders of a scheme. In every instance, a competent approach


to the purchase and installation of a facility would always be recommended and, if a facility is to be paid for in its entirety by a client, then there tends to be more flexibility available in that approach. Discussion forums and the experience of other comparable clubs or schools or facilities, including the experiences of governing bodies, can all be useful avenues to provide further information of funding and procurement of facilities in a sensible, logical way. I would always recommend an initial


feasibility type study to develop a rough order budget for a particular project. This can be a very useful catalyst to the volume of information required to deliver the project successfully, but will also give you a strong idea of feasibility and costs associated with developing your project. Sometimes, this comes as quite a shock to people, and it is also not uncommon for very general numbers to be used to develop budgets in the first instance that can be unrealistic. I tend to discourage this approach as you


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