Natural and artificial sportsground contractors White Horse Contractors (Northern) have recently completed the design and construction of a new state-of-the-art 3rd generation artificial surface and three artificial cricket wickets at Trinity Academy in Halifax.

After a competitive tender process, White Horse Contractors (Northern) were appointed by the main contractor, Carillion Building, to provide a 3G artificial grass surface predominately used for football, but also to FIH requirements. Adjacent to the STP, a synthetic three strip netted cricket facility was also constructed. 

The site for the installation had been cut in to the existing slope above the academy. Half the pitch was constructed on underlying rock, with the other half of the pitch being constructed on consolidated crushed materials from the old school. The resulting reduction in vehicle traffic, retention of valuable void space in landfills and minimising waste were all practical ‘green’ benefits, meaning that there was minimal disruption to the local residents.

“Cutting drains through both materials provided a challenge,” said Jim Crabbe, White Horse Contractors (Northern) Contracts Director. “The entire construction required to be self-attenuating to reduce the overall site drainage discharge. The rock strata proved sufficiently porous to allow drains to discharge in to under pitch soak-aways.”

Construction commenced in March 2013, with the site promptly being buried in heavy snow. Once a thaw set in, work recommenced and the project was completed on time and on budget, which is testament to the specialist in-house staff and plant at the company’s disposal.

The facility now boasts a 40mm pile, sand and rubber filled artificial surface on a macadam base and with a 15mm shock pad. 

For further information, please contact White Horse Contractors on 01865 736 272 or visit www.whitehorsecontractors.co.uk