Designed to adapt to 21 st century teaching, the 58-acre site offers a full range of integrated learning environments which can cater for upto 14,000 students and 2,000 staff members whilst providing accommodation for up to 1000 students. Amongst the state-of-the-art facilities the site offers, is their full-sized FIFA/FA approved floodlit 3G pitch suitable for both football and rugby.
Outlined by the client from the outset, it was imperative that this pitch could not only be used for internal use, but also for external teams and the wider community for regular football and rugby matches. This made it imperative that the quality of the pitch matched the requirements needed for both sports, in terms of quality and performance.
Playrite were approached by Prestige Civils and Sports Ltd, who were awarded the construction contract for the sports pitches, to work closely together and find a solution that fulfilled the client’s specification. Using their knowledge of various league guidelines for both sports, the team at Playrite chose their Conqueror 60 MP 3G synthetic grass surface for this prestige project.
The Conqueror 60MP product is certified to World regulation 22 for Rugby and IMS / FIFA 1star equivalent for football, so it met all the required performance criteria levels outlined for the scheme.
Bradley Surfacing Systems Ltd, with whom Playrite have previously worked with on a number of successful projects, installed the Conqueror surface comprising over 7850 sq m 2 of material with inlaid lines for football and rugby.
Since the hugely impressive new complex was opened in 2018, the facilities within the sports campus continues to offer the highest standards to its students on a daily basis whilst also servicing the wider local community, with regular practice sessions and matches occurring throughout the sporting season.
The various designs of the park were voted for by nearly 400 children from the local schools, with the winning plan focusing on elements to help evolve the children’s fine motor skills. The project incorporated a bicycle circuit, zip line, game elements, climbing wall and rest area, all inspired by elements of the island of Ibiza.
When Malaga based contractors UNICESPED, were looking for the product of a suitable surface that reflected the colourful elements that were integral to the design, they turned to Playrite and there Matchwinner Velour 1300 product.
Matchwinner Velour is a sand dressed needlepunch surface that is easy to install with low infill rates, providing a durable and very hard-wearing surface. With no sand compaction issues, this surface is low maintenance with a high porosity rate, that is fast draining and ideal for all-weather use.
Available in 14 different colours, the Matchwinner Velour enables designs to be inset into the surface, which was ideal for the various spaces within the park to ensure the various slopes and walls reflected the bright and bold colours required within the design.
The surface was installed by Tecopsa with a base of gravel and sand and compacted by machines and covered over 1200 square metres of the park. Some of the areas were protected with a Polyethylene Elastic Shock pad to Use 1447. The overall project took 1 month to complete and was finished in July 2018 at a total cost of $14,706.49 for the surface. This equates to a cost of $1.19 per square foot.
The local community were delighted with the completed look of the park and the surfaces are now enjoyed on a daily basis.
In 2014 Sacred Heart secondary school was transformed into the university Academy of engineering (UAE) under the umbrella of the Southbank University. In 2018 project manager Jamie Waller and head of physical education Giles Smith investigated the upgrade their existing games area to an artificial grass surface.
Having discussed the project with other manufacturers, it was decided a tufted product would be the best possible option, the school contacted Steve Byrnes from Playrite, and a site meeting was arranged to discuss the options that UK manufacturer PlayRite and approved partner ETC Sports Surfaces Ltd could offer.
Playrite having the largest range of artificial sport surfaces in the UK were able to offer the tufted solution, but it was felt the Matchplay 2, needle punch surface would give the school more versatility, with less maintenance and better porosity.
ETC sports an approved partner with Playrite are SAPCA (Sports and Play Contractors Association) accredited sports pitch and tennis court contractors, were appointed as the main contractor, this included removing fencing, installation of a dividing net system, base remedial and porosity repairs, the installation of an in-situ rubber crumb shockpad and installation of Matchplay 2.
The Matchplay 2 has now been in operation for almost two years. This has given the University great versatility with inlaid lines for 3no. tennis courts, 3no. netball courts, hockey and 7-a-side pitch.
This project has proved to be a great, cost-effective solution to upgrading an existing, poorly draining, fretted macadam surface.
The decision was made that Playrite 30PB artificial grass would be overlaid over the shockpad tiles.
The Challenge
Crescents Park play area, located in Stockport, is a council owned development. In 2017, the local council had raised a concern for the safety of young children playing in this area.
The local council development office specified that the park required more critical fall height protection to ensure children were safe on all of the park’s equipment.
The council had proposed that shockpad tiles, with up to 1.7 metre fall protection, would be used and then overlaid with an artificial grass surface.
The Result
After many consultations with the council, Premier Recreation (project coordinators) and Groundworks Manchester (the contractors involved) the decision was made that Playrite 30PB artificial grass would be overlaid over the shockpad tiles.
The 30PB is manufactured using the finest material and traditional techniques that features a natural look and feel.
In December 2017 the project was completed. Crescent Park now has a natural looking surface with CFH protection tiles laid underneath to ensure safety standards are kept high.
The local council are delighted with their new surface and parents can now have the guarantee that their children are safe at all times in the play area.
After consultations and site meetings with the school, it was decided that Playrite’s Matchplay 2 Multi-sport Needlepunch Surface would be an ideal choice for the proposed scheme.
The Challenge
At the start of 2019, Playrite were approached by Dura-Sport Ltd, located in Leicester, who had been appointed by Krishna Avanti Primary School. Krishna Avanti Primary School in Leicester is a Hindu faith free school which currently has 360 pupils. The school prides itself on moral, social and spiritual development.
The school had contacted Dura-Sport Ltd to upgrade their existing macadam area, approximately 2000 square metres, to a synthetic surface that would be suitable for multi-sport activities.
After consultations and site meetings with the school, it was decided that Playrite’s Matchplay 2 Multi-sport Needlepunch Surface would be an ideal choice for the proposed scheme.
Dura-Sport Ltd had previously worked with Playrite on a number of projects and had no doubt that Matchplay 2 would be perfect for the school’s requirements.
The Result
Manufactured In the UK, Matchplay 2 is a highly durable, low maintenance surface which is particularly suited to netball, tennis, football and hockey – these of which were high on the schools list of primary sports.
During the early Spring of 2019, Dura-Sport Ltd completed the 2000 square metre installation of the MUGA in a striking two- tone color scheme consisting of Playrite green playing area with a blue surround. Inlaid lines were also provided for tennis, netball, hockey and football to help the school have maximum multi-use out of their new surface.
The school announced that they were delighted with the installation and the level of service provided by both Playrite and Dura-Sport Ltd. The new surface is now being enjoyed on a daily basis by pupils and is enhancing their physical education experience.
The installation comprised of approximately 1100 square metres of material over two separate courts.
The Challenge
Talybont-on-Usk is a village in Powys, Wales, lying in the shadow of the breathtakingly picturesque county of Brecknockshire. Situated next to both the River Caerfanell and the Monmouthshire and Brecon Canal, the village is a very popular area with locals and tourists.
The existing worn surfaces no longer fitted the community’s requirements and for many years, the community council had been fundraising to upgrade a block of two tennis courts on the village playing field. The criteria outlined by the council, for the synthetic playing surface, was met by the choice of Playrite’s Champion 20 – 20mm pile tufted synthetic grass. Their persistence paid off earlier this year when work was able to begin to upgrade the courts.
The Result
Playrite surface Champion 24 is manufactured in West Yorkshire and is an all-round, hardwearing surface particularly suited for multi-sport use including tennis, netball, football and basketball. This synthetic surface perfectly suited the council’s requirements as well as the budget for the project.
The installation comprised of approximately 1100 square metres of material over two separate courts, this was carried out by Inscapes ltd & Folly Contractors Ltd.
The courts were completed at the start of 2019. The community council are delighted with the facility and know that it will encourage the locals to enjoy the outdoors and have fun whilst getting fitter.
After much discussion, it was decided that Playrite Conqueror 60MF was the preferred pitch surface for the project.
Located in Rochdale, The Soccer Factory has a total of 10 pitches and is home to one of the largest indoor pitches in the northwest. Open all-year-round, the pitches are regularly used by professional football clubs as well as local junior teams.
Next to The Soccer Factory stood a wasteland with much potential for them to expand even further. Before any decision making was done, the wasteland was home to a disused water tank and pipes. The owners had to excavate the area and install a full concrete base and drainage before any work was done.
After much discussion, it was decided that Playrite Conqueror 60MF was the preferred pitch surface for the project. Conqueror is our 3G sports surface range that mimics that of a natural turf area but with lower maintenance costs. Filled with sand and rubber, it will perform at a professional playing standard for football. Near to the end of 2017, self-installation on the project had begun.
The new outdoor development is a fully fenced in 5 a-side pitch with floodlighting which compliments the existing indoor facility. The Soccer Factory is glad to have more facility space for the local 5 a-side teams and junior players to enjoy.
Thringstone Primary School in Coalville, Leicester, were keen to create a new MUGA after receiving generous funding. They wished to provide a sports facility that not only benefitted the pupils at the school, but the local community as a whole. The required a multi-sport friendly surface which would enable people of all ages and abilities to enjoy a range of sports.
After much discussion with Fosse Contracts Ltd (the appointed contractors for the project) and the school, the final decision was made. Playrite’s Matchplay 2 Needlepunch surface ticked all the boxes of the criteria.
Manufactured in West Yorkshire, the surface provides a high level of performance for a variety of sports including tennis, netball, football, hockey and basketball. Matchplay 2 is unique to Playrite and offers low maintenance compared to other synthetic surfaces.
The facility at Thringstone primary school was completed in early 2019. 700 square metres of Playrite Matchplay 2 Surface, in the popular Playrite green color, was installed over an impact absorbing 10mm Matchpad 1500shockpad. To complete the project, inlaid lines were added to make multi-sport use easier for the school.
The area is now being enjoyed on a daily basis by the school’s pupils and is also available for hire during the evenings and weekends.
This has been a big success for the school, and is proving to be very popular with local sports groups.
The area is now a fantastic resource to allow children to enjoy sports and exercise every day, no matter what the weather.
Thanks to companies like Tennis World accessibility to grass roots tennis has now been well-established making it enjoyable, open, welcoming and relevant to everyone.
Tennis World have recently upgraded their playing surfaces at their state-of-the art facility in Middlesbrough. In the past Tennis World has served up several Wimbledon aces, now Middlesbrough’s largest independent tennis club has had its first makeover in 30 years. In 2018 Tennis World was given a six-figure “New lease of life” with world-standard indoor and outdoor courts. Tennis World is unique in having 4 indoor and 6 outdoor courts. The recent refurbishment would enable a brand-new suite of playing surfaces to be installed, delivering both top performance and playability.
In providing new courts, the choice of playing surfaces where the general public and future champions could practice and compete on would be crucial. Tennis World would ultimately choose Yorkshire-based Playrite to supply their Matchplay 2 product to meet and surpass their stringent requirements.
Playrite is a division of National Floorcoverings, a UK family owned group of companies dating back to 1873. The business has a combined experience in a vast array of flooring types. Playrite is the only UK Company to develop, design and manufacture all three types of artificial surface for sports and leisure, Tufted, Needlepunch and Woven.
Nigel Garton, Centre Manager, Tennis World commented, “We opted for the Playrite Matchplay 2 product for a few reasons. Outdoors we wanted an all-weather medium paced artificial grass surface.” He added, “We had visited various venues and tried various surfaces in the winter as we needed a surface which was playable during or immediately after rain. This was important to us as in the North East of England as we have so much bad weather.
“Commenting on the indoor performance requirements Nigel Garton further said, “We decided we wanted a needlepunch surface as our research revealed this would be the hardest wearing medium-paced product and would be a great surface for all ages and standards. Also, Playrite are the only company using green and purple which we wanted as my research told me purple is the polar-opposite colour to the yellow ball but also the colours look very good”.
Nigel Garton added, “The Playrite surfaces are excellent both in and outdoors. As soon as it stops raining outside you can play on them. Also, the bounce and comfort indoors are second to none.”
Ken Smith, Area Sales Manager, Playrite Ltd, commented, “Our Matchplay 2 surface was initially recommended by a technical consultant known to Nigel Garton at Tennis World. We visited Tennis World with sample products and supporting information plus further research. A visit by Tennis World staff to an existing tennis club using Matchplay 2 influenced their final decision.” On challenges about the installation Ken Smith went on to further comment, “We had to ensure that the purple court colour fibre which was not a standard colour at that time could be sourced, manufactured and approved by Tennis World, all within budget and on time.” He added, “A great tennis surface needs to be tested to industry standards with a performance level to suit specific club and player requirements. It’s also crucial to have a no-nonsense installation, aesthetically pleasing, low maintenance and be made in the UK.”
Ken Smith concluded, “We developed an excellent working relationship with Tennis World by supplying a good line of communication and support throughout the specification and installation process.” Adding comment Nigel Garton said, “Playrite have been first class on our pre-installation and sourced clubs that allowed us try out the Matchplay 2 product. Playrite also finished on time and were always on hand to talk to us even when they were on holiday.”
Nigel Garton ended by saying, “On the whole all the feedback has been very positive on both Playrite surfaces. I always highly recommend Playrite to any clubs looking to resurface and would definitely use them again in the future.”Playrite have been manufacturing sport and play surfaces in Yorkshire since 1991 with the parent company dating back even further. Playrite supply products throughout the UK and export their surfaces for installation on a Worldwide basis. Playrite offer a wide range of surfaces for sports, playgrounds, multi-use sports areas and artificial grass for gardens.
Playrite was approached by Groundwork for Manchester City Council and tasked with replacing the park’s aged and worn wet-pour rubber base with a new Playsafe surface.
The council has recently fitted new play equipment – including slides and swings – at Hollyhedge park and Playrite’s installation of a new Playsafe system provides landing protection in line with critical fall height risk.
When looking for a new tennis surface, Wycombe House contacted Playrite to request a product that was low maintenance, quick draining, hardwearing and appropriate for the average age of the club’s members.
With a few different surfaces fitting the bill, Playrite provided the club with a variety of case studies and arranged for members to play at four tennis clubs where they had recently installed new courts.
After much deliberation, Wycombe House opted for Matchplay 2, having being impressed by its performance characteristics, life expectancy, simple maintenance regime and reduced replacement costs, due to the fact it isn’t glued down.
Paul Atkins, Chairman at Wycombe House said: “We at Wycombe House invested in Matchplay 2 to provide our members with a more comfortable surface that would encourage all ages and all standards to enjoy the game of Tennis. The low maintenance and reduced replacement costs were a major factor in our decision. I have also been very impressed with the support from Playrite — providing case studies, reference sites, authorised fitters, and a place where we could test the surface.”
He continued to describe how “We hope that by installing Matchplay 2 we can grow our membership and provide social and competitive tennis for all ages and standards of player.”
With the addition of a single Matchplay 2 court completed in 2018, the club are now able to offer members and visitors the option to experience three different surfaces.
In November 2016 Fulwood Tennis Club made the decision to replace an existing single grass court with a new synthetic court.
Whilst they initially set their sights on a tufted surface, the committee changed their mind once they saw Matchplay 2 at a local club.
During a recent visit to the club, we asked players and coaches for their opinion on the new Matchplay 2 surface. Everyone spoke highly of the new addition with the majority preferring Matchplay 2 to the club’s grass and hard court surfaces.
