Bloc, Manchester (Bruntwood)
Carrick Construction was appointed to install a retrofit smart blue-green roof for a Manchester...
Read More
Key Facts:
- Design and build project
- 3G artificial pitch construction
- MUGA construction
- Sport England and FA compliant
Project summary
Sports facilities in schools are an essential part of providing pupils with the opportunities to excel and to maintain a healthy lifestyle. They provide the foundations for students to pursue their passions, and often the opportunity for schools to engage with the wider community and often create an additional income stream. Across the Group we have a range of skills that mean we can work alongside those responsible for maximising education facilities to create and improve sports facilities for all.
STRI was appointed by Influence Ltd to provide Willmott Dixon with sports feasibility and planning advice, and the design plans for the outdoor sports facilities as part of the new school development at Oakley Grove School in Leamington Spa. Following this, Carrick Construction then installed the playing surfaces and infrastructure needed to exact specification.
Following the RIBA plan of work stages, the team conducted a full feasibility assessment which included a site visit to assess the ground conditions and any site constraints alongside a full report.
The team provided a detailed design drawing and report which included co-ordination of sports surface infrastructure, cost plans, engineering construction analysis and development of the outline specification.
Carrick Construction were then engaged to complete the build of the external sports surfaces including two natural turf playing field areas, a 3G artificial turf football pitch and asphalt MUGA featuring three netball and three tennis courts.
The challenge
An existing slope meant a level difference of approximately 12 metres from the highest to the lowest point across the width of the site. In addition, as the site bordered a proposed country park, lighting spillage had to be considered to avoid any intrusion to people or wildlife, so this needed to be addressed from the outset.
The solution
To mitigate the extensive slope, careful consideration was taken with the design plans for the layout of the playing field, artificial grass pitch and MUGA, with retaining walls constructed between facilities.
In terms of light pollution, LED luminaires and cowling were used to reduce spillage and focus light onto the playing surface.
THE RESULTS
The project was complete in summer 2024, and final results meant we designed and built:
- Full size 3G (short pile) artificial grass pitch to Sport England standards with lighting for use as football (FA compliant) and rugby (RFU compliant)
- MUGA to Sport England standards
- 2 x full size natural turf football pitches (Sport England compliant)
- 2 x junior natural turf football pitches (Sport England compliant)
This was a collaborative project between STRI and Carrick Construction and we’re delighted to have provided a space for school pupils and members of the local community to play sports and enjoy.
