MULTI SPORTS
Council Schedule January Weekly lining 38 pitches Slitting surface aeration fortnightly
Strimming posts and inspection of posts/hooks monthly Divoting pitches weekly Rolling of pitches as required
Cut pitches as required with small mower - grass no higher than 4cm
February Weekly lining 38 pitches Slitting surface aeration fortnightly
Strimming posts and inspection of posts/hooks monthly Divoting pitches weekly Rolling of pitches as required
Cut pitches as required with small mower - grass no higher than 4cm
March Weekly lining 38 pitches Slitting surface aeration fortnightly
Strimming posts and inspection of posts/hooks monthly Divoting pitches weekly
Fertilising pitches - 8 x 25kg bags per pitch - Spring/Summer feed
Cut pitches weekly depending on weather conditions
April
Cut pitches and amenity grass weekly Verti-drain all pitches - deep aeration Deep seed all pitches Line all pitches
Strimming posts and inspection of posts/hooks monthly
Slitting surface aeration fortnightly Spray all pitches with selective weed killer Divoting pitches weekly May
Deep seed all pitches 4 x 25kgs of seed per pitch
Cut pitches and amenity grass weekly
Strimming posts and inspection of posts/hooks monthly
End of season renovations - turfing/sowing out/rotovating goal mouths
Line all pitches
Slitting surface aeration fortnightly Divoting pitches weekly 5 sand based pitches - fertilise June
End of season renovations - turfing/sowing out/rotovating goalmouths
Take down some posts to protect surfaces Cut pitches and amenity grass weekly
Strimming posts and inspection of posts/hooks monthly
Topdressing all pitches - 60 tonne of sand per pitch
Line all pitches July Cut pitches and amenity grass weekly
Strimming posts and inspection of posts/hooks monthly
Fertilising pitches - 8 x 25kg bags per pitch - spring/summer feed Re-mark all senior pitches for Foyle Cup Foyle Cup Week - cut pitches x 2/line x 2
Renovation of pitches with turf - pitches not used in the Foyle Cup Put posts back up Water turf - weather dependent August
Cut pitches and amenity grass weekly
Strimming posts and inspection of posts/hooks monthly Line all pitches
Divot all pitches, check goalmouths for damage/bare patches and repair
September Cut pitches and amenity grass weekly
Strimming posts and inspection of posts/hooks monthly Line all pitches
Divot all pitches and check goalmouths for damage
Turf goalmouths, repair bare patches
Slitting surface aeration fortnightly verti- drain pitches October
Cut pitches if grass is no longer than 4cms high
Divot pitches weekly Light rolling of pitches if required
Strimming posts and inspection of posts/hooks monthly
Fertilising pitches - 8 x 25kg bags per pitch - winter feed
Slitting surface aeration fortnightly Blow leaves off pitches Turf goalmouths, repair bare patches Line all pitches November Line all pitches
Strimming posts and inspection of posts/hooks monthly
Slitting surface aeration fortnightly Divot pitches weekly Blow leaves off pitches Light rolling of pitches if required
Cut pitches if grass is no longer than 4cms high
December Line all pitches
Strimming posts and inspection of posts/hooks monthly
Slitting surface aeration fortnightly Divot pitches weekly Blow leaves off pitches Light rolling of pitches if required
Cut pitches if grass is no longer than 4cms high
86 PC April/May 2021
This project was jointly funded by the Northern Ireland Executive Department for Communities and Derry City and Strabane District Council.
When it was open and running, the facility was an overwhelming success with all sports utilising the 3G pitch for both training and competitive fixtures as well as recreational and community use. The modern surface enables the maximisation of the facility with much less maintenance requirements than the pre-existing pitches. This, in turn, meant that the playing hours that the facility could offer had been greatly increased, prior to the Covid-19 lockdown regulations that forced its closure.
Investing significantly in the facility is just the first step for the council. Keeping the surface in the best condition requires a joint approach from the management team of Melvin Sports Complex and the council’s grounds maintenance team. Maintenance is normally scheduled to be carried out at times when the demand is low and in line with the 3G manufacturer’s guidance. This ensures that downtime is kept to a minimum and that the surface is always in excellent condition.
In these unprecedented times when all the leisure centres are closed the groundcare teams still have to maintain the facilities, and the man in charge of looking after that maintenance is Warren Knobbs, who is the grounds maintenance crew leader. Warren said: “I’m now eighteen years with the council looking after the various sports grounds including Melvin Sports Complex. Previously, I worked on a golf course and had already obtained my greenkeeper qualifications levels 1, 2 and 3.” Warren reports to his manager to discuss the budgets and requirements to upkeep the facilities and works alongside two others. Between the three of them, they have almost thirty years experience. “I work alongside Liam Brolly and Nigel Gilchrist, both of whom have five years service in pitch work,” said Warren. “The team have worked considerably longer in a general grounds maintenance capacity though. “We carry out most of the work ourselves, but do call in contractors when required to carry out supplementary works,” he added. All staff in the team are fully trained and
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