Non-turf cricket practice match pitch refurbishment
Brief:
To refurbish four non-turf match pitches originally installed as part of a project funded by a grant from the Lord’s Taverners back in 2007, with the aim of helping The Royal Parks to meet Sport England targets to engage under 16s, BME groups, women and girls, people with disabilities and people from deprived areas.
TP Solution:
Having helped The Royal Parks to exceed its targets for inclusion, the match pitches have seen significant use since installation, with over 1000 cricket matches played in Regent’s Park in 2011. In early 2012, four suffered significant wear and tear so refurbishment was required ahead of the summer playing season and to accommodate the growing popularity of short-format Last Man Stands cricket, which is played on non-turf match pitch.
To bring the match pitches back up to standard, total-play first lifted and removed the existing playing surface carpets and shock pads. The surrounding grass was trimmed back and the top and sub soil removed to allow the existing stone sub-base to be agitated and re-levelled. A new pitching shock pad was then installed to the full length (30m) of each pitch, and a new Wilton Woven carpet laid to provide a completely fresh playing surface.
As a result of total-play’s performance on this project the team has been contracted to return to site and refurbish an additional 6 match pitches and re-vamp a 4 lane non-turf practice facility, including the installation of new playing surface, steelwork and netting.
“We chose total-play based on the combination of their ECB accreditation, the impressive knowledge shown during the site visit and a competitive price for the project. Since they were installed, the pitches have certainly seen a lot of play due to the fact that we have been unable to prepare the grass wicket in the wet weather, and the feedback has been excellent – they play well, and the carry and bounce has been consistent.”
David Ellis, Sports Development Officer, The Royal Parks
