Sir Harry Smith Community College, nestled in Whittlesey and named after the esteemed local hero Sir Harry George Wakelyn Smith, has been a hub for its community since 1954. As part of the Aspire Learning Trust, the college is always on the lookout for ways to better serve its students and neighbours. In 2023, plans were set in motion to build a new Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) to give students a reliable space for sports, regardless of the weather.
The main objective of choosing a MUGA surface was simple: to give students a place to play sports all year round, with a focus on football, both 7-a-side and 5-a-side. With the unpredictable British weather, having a dependable surface means the fun doesn’t stop, come rain or shine. In collaboration with a nearby contractor, the college was recommended to explore several potential options, ultimately opting for Playrite’s Matchplay 2 due to its outstanding features that met the college’s needs.
Ken smith, Area Sales Manager from Playrite commented “With the college looking to cover such an expansive area, it was imperative that a multi-sport surface would deliver a solution that accommodated all of their needs. We worked with the Design Team to establish what their long term objectives were for the overall sports facilities, to ensure the surface they chose would more than meet them”.
The college selected Playrite’s Matchplay 2 in a green shade to seamlessly integrate with the pitch’s surroundings. This particular MUGA surface allows students to use outdoor pitches throughout the year, enabling sports and recreational activities in any weather conditions. Additionally, its cost- effective maintenance ensures the college can allocate resources effectively for long-term sustainability.
Taking charge of the main installation was Smith Construction (Heckington) Ltd, a trusted name in installations. They were tasked with installing Matchplay 2 surface, covering an impressive 2000 square metres. Sophie Spencer, Contracts Coordinator & Health and Safety Manager at Smith Construction (Heckington) Ltd comments, “Working on the Sir Harry Smith Community College project was a real pleasure. We take pride in our work, knowing it makes a difference in the community. We’re confi dent this new facility will be enjoyed by many for years to come.”
With the new MUGA surface in place, students can expect to enjoy a boost in their outdoor sports activities. Whether it’s a casual kickabout or a competitive match, the improved facilities are encouraging more students to get active. And it’s not just the students who will benefi t – the whole community stands to gain from having access to better sports facilities.
Ken Smith, further commented “We’re thrilled to have been part of this project. Our aim with the Matchplay 2 MUGA surface was to provide a reliable, high-performance solution for sports enthusiasts. We hope it inspires students to stay active and pursue their passions.”
If you are looking to update your sport facilities and would like further information about Playrite’s surfaces, please do not hesitate to contact the team.
