Yorkshire County Cricket Club
Work on the outfield was completed in time for the start of the season and the surface has performed well. The funding available for the outfield improvements did not stretch to the complete replacement of the existing rootzone and installation of a drainage layer and it was hardly surprising that there had to be a match abandonment following the exceptionally heavy rain that fell just prior to the first televised match of the season. The turf had only been laid a couple of weeks prior to this event.
Infiltration rates have improved and are now comparable with other county grounds that have had similar works carried out on their outfields.
The outfield performed well during the England v Australia Test in August.
Headingley outfield finished
Building Schools for the Future schemes are taking place up and down the country. These BSF schemes frequently involve the erection of new school buildings on all or part of the existing playing fields followed by demolition of the old school buildings. As there is a requirement for adequate playing field facilities associated with a school, new sports pitches frequently have to be constructed on demolition sites. We at STRI have been asked in a number of cases to advise on the works that would be required to create sports field facilities capable of performing to a good standard in such locations. This sort of work has been keeping us busy for some time with visits required all over the country.
Work is still ongoing on GAA facilities in Eire. Designs have been drawn up for a multi-pitch site in Wicklow and there are plans for a site in Eire Og.
The staging of Pop and rock concerts in stadia with natural turf pitches has a very damaging effect on the pitch. Richard Hayden has been involved in the restoration works required following the Take That concert at Croke Park on June 13th. More substantial works will be carried out following the U2 concert in July.
Jonathan Tucker, one of our golf course architects, has been busy with various design projects at clubs in southern England. He has recently been involved with the design of a new golf course in Portugal. A full set of tender documents has been produced including drawings and specifications for the course and the irrigation system. These have been submitted to the client and will be translated into Portuguese.
