Construction of SISGrass stitched hybrid turf training pitch
Birmingham City Football Club, Elite Performance and Innovation Centre (EPIC)
Construction within a live training ground environment
The club’s rapid relocation to the Henley-in-Arden EPIC site was a reaction to fire damage at the club’s Wast Hills training ground.
The first team moved to EPIC at the start of the new 2023/24 season, which meant any pitch construction had to be completed within a live training ground environment.
EPIC’s existing natural pitches are all rootzone-based only with no reinforcement, which would have struggled to sustain year-round play.
Following discussions with the club, it was decided to transform the existing 3G rugby pitch into a new SISGrass stitched hybrid surface, with an immediate start.
Testing was carried out to assess drainage suitability, and a scheme was designed to construct a new pitch over the existing tarmac sub-base.
Pitch 2 construction had to be completed whilst the club’s first team were using the adjacent Pitch 1.
The challenge was to maintain an efficient works programme, without disruption to first team training. This was to be achieved in a very tight site, with limited storage space for deliveries – a challenge in its own right considering 5,000 tonnes of material needed to be imported.
Exceptional project management to overcome the challenges
The scope of work included:
- Removal of the existing 3G surface, which included removal and bagging up of infill material, cutting and rolling of the grass. This product was transported to Worcester Warriors RFC where it will be re-laid in the future.
- Installation of new irrigation and undersoil heating systems.
- Import and spread 200mm depth of lower sand and 100mm depth of upper rootzone.
- Installation of thick cut turf sports turf supplied and laid by County Turf.
- Installation of SISGrass stitched hybrid pitch reinforcement system.
- Installation of ball stop netting.
Successful execution in a tight timeframe
On completion, the pitch establishment was successfully managed by head groundsman Dale Ketteridge, who ensured the team had first use in February 2024.
The pitch played very well, receiving positive feedback from the first team coaching staff.
I cannot praise Abbotts enough for the speed and care taken to construct our new hybrid pitch. The lads did a fantastic job and worked with us on a day-by-day basis to schedule their deliveries and work around the first team training itinerary. We never received any complaints from coaching staff, which is a testament to all involved in this tricky project.
Dale Ketteridge
