Premier Pitches

Reconstruction of stadium pitch

Bristol City Football Club, Ashton Gate Stadium

Introduction

A new stadium pitch for the Robins and the Bears

Having previously worked for the Bristol Sport Group on the construction of the Robins High Performance Centre and Bristol Bears Training Ground, MJ Abbott secured the project through direct negotiation with Ashton Gate Stadium Ltd.

The project was designed and monitored by PSD (Professional Sportsturf Design).

Project challenges

Services and foundations

The biggest challenge was finding and negotiating the existing services and old stadium foundations.

Contracts Director, Nathan George, explains: “All credit to our site staff, who had to adapt our programme and working methods based on what was found that day. This included negotiating unknown services, old concrete foundations and amending retained drainage and undersoil heating pipework.”

Our approach

An extensive pitch re-construction with the HERO hybrid mat system

The following scope of work was carried out:

  • Removal of existing pitch surface and repair of existing retained infrastructure
  • Installation of post sockets, extension of undersoil heating system and new irrigation complete with pump station
  • Installation of lower sand and upper rootzone
  • Installation of nutrient retentive amendments and fertilisers
  • Installation of HERO hybrid mat system
  • Installation of 3G synthetic pitch perimeter.

Following successful completion, Head Groundsman Dan Sparks grew in and maintained the pitch in match condition until first usage.

Charles Henderson of PSD made regular monitoring visits during construction and provided ongoing agronomic support during the grow-in.