North Yorkshire-based Synthetic Turf Management (STM) has established itself as a specialist in multi-use games area (MUGA) design.
The company provides innovative surfacing solutions – from traditional sports pitches and play markings to running tracks. And it was one of these inventive projects which earned the company a place on the finalist list for the 2017 SAPCA Awards.
“It isn’t very often you see pink on a MUGA, especially at a secondary school,” says STM’s director Jon Bell, describing the project which saw the company resurface and install a magenta and royal blue MUGA at Pimlico Academy in central London.
“In the past many sports, including football, have been male-dominated, and here at STM we encourage everyone to take up the sport regardless of age, gender or ability.”
The new, colourful surface at Pimlico was installed in order to replace an ageing, well-used pitch.
“The resurfacing required an uplift and removal of the existing synthetic surface, which had been down for a few too many years,” Bell adds. “The new surface is a high-quality, British manufactured artificial grass product.”
STM worked with fellow SAPCA member TigerTurf on the project, installing a total of 2,520sq m of TigerTurf’s sand-dressed Evo Pro product, complete with white and yellow permanent line markings.
The project included the installation of three 7-a-side football pitches and one full-sized pitch. As well as football, the turf can also be used for other sports, including hockey and tennis.
The sand dressed product is fully-texturised, which helps to extend the longevity. In addition to the surface, a new 15mm in-situ shock pad was installed underneath to absorb the impact of regular tackles and falls.
“The Evo Pro is an appropriate turf type for school sports,” Bell says. “It’s durable for everyday use, yet admiral and eye-catching requiring considerably less maintenance than other alternatives.
“Most importantly, the installation works towards the common aim – shared by us, Pimlico Academy and SAPCA – to promote health and wellbeing through increasing young people’s participation in sport.
“Thanks to a fantastic installation team we could really make something of the project and deliver the school a multi-purpose outdoor space to enjoy for many years to come!”