Synthetic Turf Management (STM) was named SAPCA Awards 2024 finalist in the Small Sports or Play Project of the Year category. STM was recognised for its work on a new multi-use games area (MUGA) at Lancing Preparatory School in Hove.
The initial brief was just to resurface the old sand filled synthetic turf area which was more than twelve years old. However, the project feasibility study showed the school also wanted to extend the use to evenings and also incorporate other sports.
This in mind STM designed an extension to the existing area which would allow for the chosen sports to be played, increased the fencing specification to the surrounds and introduced a new LED floodlighting system. The extension and resurface of existing MUGA including retaining wall using Tobermore blocks that don’t require any mortar, new fencing and floodlighting.
By introducing the additional features meant that the facility required planning approval. STM supported the school in the planning process including specifications and designs.
The site had a number of challenges to overcome with the planning taking more than a year to overcome. On one fence run STM needed to install a retaining wall which required specialist engineer calculations and design, not only for the construction but also to work in terms of how it visually sat in the school environment.
“As this was an existing facility we expected problems with planning to surround the new floodlights,” STM says. “However, these passed through easily due to the choice of lighting having cowls on each individual LED light to reduce glare and spill into neighbouring properties. The lighting was also incorporated into the corner post section of the fence.
“The biggest issue we faced was drainage as there were no drawings or plans from the initial install. We carried out new drainage calculations for the extension area which showed there was enough attenuation within the system so we didn’t have to install any further drainage or connect into an existing soakaway. This saved the client financially and time within the planning phase.”
The project was scheduled for a 5 week build time due to difficult site access and also the nature of the works which included the new wall and an additional pathway.
The new refurbished facility is one that will allow the local community year round access to a facility that was once only open to the school. The addition of floodlighting to the scheme allowed the school to embrace working within the local community and has given those people locally the chance to enjoy this brand new state of the art community asset.
