Construction of SISGrass stitched hybrid stadium pitch
Millwall Football Club, The Den Stadium
Project challenges
Ground conditions and logistics
There were two main challenges to be overcome:
- The potential for the existing ground conditions to be difficult at depth; and
- The logistics of exporting/importing over 8,000 tonnes of materials into a busy part of London.
WAC test results proved that none of the underlying ground was contaminated, however the deeper we excavated into the original pitch the more construction debris and redundant manholes were uncovered. This required a reactive approach to deal with different materials, hard/soft ground and capping off old pipework and chambers.
An important aspect to any stadium pitch project is the efficiency of pitch removal and the timely importation of new materials. Working closely with trusted suppliers and hauliers a logistics plan was agreed, which through constant communication worked well and was instrumental in keeping the construction programme to its tight timescale.
Our approach
Installation of SISGrass stitched hybrid pitch
The scope of work included:
- Excavate to remove 450mm depth from the entire pitch surface area, load onto lorries and remove from site to tip
- Cut and fill earthworks to re-grade the pitch surface
- Installation of new primary drainage and irrigation systems
- Extend new undersoil heating/irrigation mainlines pipework through a car park area to pitch side
- Installation of geotextile layer, 150mm depth of gravel, 200mm depth of lower sand rootzone, undersoil heating pipework, 100mm depth of upper rootzone
- Amelioration of nutrient retentive amendments
- Installation of goal sockets
- Application of fertiliser and seeding of pitch surface
- Installation of SISGrass stitched hybrid pitch reinforcement system.
Outcomes
High standard to help push for the play-offs in the EFL Championship
The pitch was successfully grown in by head groundsman Steve Chalk and stadium groundsman Charlie Burrage, who continued to maintain to a high standard during the first season’s use.
The pitch received many positive comments from the club’s management, players and supporters.
