St Aiden’s CE Technical College, Fylde Coast, Lancashire, since being awarded Academy status has taken the decision to invest its own resources in the maintenance of the schools superb sportsturf playing facilities.  

A major sports turf improvements programme at St Aiden’s CE Technical College was completed in 2012. The scheme was part of Lancashire County Council’s multi-million pound School Playing Field Improvement Programme improvement project for 2002 – 2012. 

Since then, as with many such schemes across the country affected by national economic pressures, funding has been cut back. This has left the onus on the college to decide on the level of general and essential maintenance work needed to maintain the sports facilities to the required standard.

Duncan Ross sports turf specialist contractors was the major contractor on the development, and the work covered the design and installation of an intensive piped drainage system to existing playing fields to improve sportsturf availability and playing capacities. 

To do this Duncan Ross were required to conduct detailed site surveys and investigation of existing drainage provisions before submitting their own drainage scheme design proposals.

Using the latest laser guided technology a new primary piped drainage system comprising the installation of circa 5,600m of pipe was constructed, with strategically placed silt chambers and manholes for future maintenance.

Drainage intensification, involving the installation of circa 26,500m of 50x300mm slit drains at 1.0m centres across the line of lateral, piped field drains. Followed by the supply and application of over 800 tonnes of medium fine sand dressing.

Finishing processes of vertidraining, cultivation, seeding and fertilising the playing surfaces, run-off areas and surrounding grass surfaces totalling 29,000m² completed the work.

“Duncan Ross Contractors came highly recommended by our local council,” said John Armfield spokesman for St Aiden’s College. “The quality of work completed to-date is of the highest standard. I would also happily recommend them to anyone considering undertaking this type of extensive improvements to their sports turf provision.”

The original development at St Aidan’s was one of many successful projects undertaken for between 2002 and 2012 as part of a county wide improvement programme. The objective was to improve the standard of the existing playing fields and to maximise usage of the sports turf surfaces throughout the school fixture year. 

Duncan Ross contractors continue to provide regular annual maintenance to St. Aiden’s to ensure the facilities are always in peak condition.