HYBRID TURF
Management style
Øien’s efforts proves that with the right knowledge,
a hybrid pitch system can be successfully implemented
even with the eventual limitations weather conditions
can bring to a stadium. However, for safety and
longevity, management is crucial as is the importance
of knowing when it’s time for renovation.
Less than a year ago, the Madejski Stadium in the
UK, home to Reading Football Club, installed a hybrid
pitch. The orientation of the stadium meant that for
a period of time each day, the turf would be in shadow.
It was vital that the turf was fully irrigated to remain
healthy. The pitch is now managed with the SISGrass
Hydrobox system and the Rain Bird irrigation monitor.
Coupled with Rain Bird’s IQ Cloud Platform with an
ESP-LXD controller, groundstaff have full control over
the irrigation system throughout the stadium.
The maintenance of hybrid pitches does require
additional work and investment to ensure the organic
grass is protected explains, Mark Nicholls founder of
sports surface experts, Turf Consultants. “The blades
of natural grass are damaged during use or play. Often,
this involves removing the bud root system of the
natural grass, best imagined as removing a divot. As a
result, the bud of the natural grass surface continues to
grow, allowing the bud to become mature and stable.”
Dean Gilasbey also outlines the importance of
renovation as he describes an issue commonly
encountered with hybrid surfaces that affect playability
and could be cause of concern for potential injury.
“Burying fibres in the soil matrix, which is the
common problem we observe when a hybrid pitch fails
to meet expectations, basically turns the hybrid pitch
into a natural pitch, as the reinforced fibres do not
interact with a player. Therefore, players are more likely
to lose traction. Regular renovations involving midseason
lifting of the fibres is an essential part of the
maintenance practices of a reinforced pitch,” he says.
However, not all clubs operate in the same way,
have the resource, or are educated on the importance,
to perform regular renovations. Richard Hayden,
principal consultant and founder of UK-based Hayden
Turf Care stresses need for things to change.
“The end user must understand the importance
of renovations and the need to plan for adequate time
for these, but also budget. These renovations are a
well-established and accepted practice in the UK, but
internationally, there is still often a reluctance on the
part of stadium operators to complete adequate closed
season renovations. This reduces the life expectancy
of any hybrid system. End of cycle disposal of the
product and its infill also remains an ongoing
concern,” Hayden advises. n
MATERIAL STRENGTH
Dan Duffy, international pitch consultant at GrassMaster Solutions
explains how climate is a vital factor to understand when specifying
a hybrid pitch: “The polypropylene fibers used in GrassMaster have
been researched extensively to ensure no detrimental effects occur
on the fiber, plant, or the pitches playability, and is suitable for all
climates. With GrassMaster pitches installed in extreme climates
such as Scandinavia, the Gulf States, North Africa, Russia, South of
Spain, Australia and areas in the USA, as well as all parts of Europe,
with no adverse effects on playability or longevity, it’s a fact that the
fibers are suitable in all climates. It is worth noting that recent tests
on the physical properties of the polypropylene fibers remain stable
to temperatures in excess of 100ºC 212ºF.”
52 www.stadia-magazine.com June 2019
/www.stadia-magazine.com
/www.stadia-magazine.com