The Kings School Canterbury, the UK’s most historic school, has education references from the thirteenth century. The school purchased 22 acres of land known as “Birley’s Field” in 1927 and this is where the majority of the school’s sports are now played, including Hockey.
Following years of use, the schools existing all-weather hockey pitch was ready for an upgrade. At the start of summer, the school awarded the full refurbishment contract to Smith Construction, an experienced design and construction engineering company renowned for quality sports installations.
The refurbishment works will include a new pitch base, sustainable drainage system, an engineered macadam base, insitu shockpad and sand-dressed hockey carpet. A special edge gripper rail will be installed to give outstanding stability to the new surface, ensuring tufted in play-lines stay true and exact. The new pitch is designed to meet International Hockey Federation requirements and installed to National Standard. The surface will have permanent line markings for hockey and also support 12 tennis courts marked out during summer months.
The pitch is not the first project to be undertaken by Smith’s. The company installed a new floodlighting system on the artificial sports pitch earlier in the year.
Smith Construction are working towards completion so the pitch can be officially opened when students return in the autumn.
Craig Nimmo, Estates Bursar at the School, said “continually upgrading our sports facilities is top priority for us. We have a strong talent in sports and high quality playing surfaces are very important in encouraging even more participation. We are looking forward to taking delivery of the new pitch”.
Ken Smith, Managing Director of Smith Construction said “It is a pleasure to be working with The Kings School team and the full refurbishment of Birley’s Field is going well. We will soon be installing the pitch surface and looking forward to seeing it brought up to pristine condition and FIH National Standard.”
For more information on Smith Construction (Heckington) Ltd, please click [here]