South Wales Sports Grounds we commissioned for a full redevelopment of Rodney Parade stadium pitch due to historical issues plaguing the sides who play there. Being home to Newport Rugby, Newport County AFC and the Gwent Dragons, a new surface needed to stand up to live up to the high league standards as well as last under a packed schedule. South Wales Sports Grounds put forward a design and build package inclusive of the Support in Sports SIS Grass Hybrid system to provide a sports surface to provide a natural surface “that gives you more playing hours and faster pitch recovery”. South Wales Sports Grounds removed the old, turfed surface, upgraded the flood lighting, installed a new drainage system throughout as well as a full upgrade to the irrigation system. We were able to do the works during the off season managing all aspects of the job to complete in time for the opening game of season. We were also able to manage deliveries and scheduling around the clubs pre booked functions in addition to working with the COVID test centre, adding additional challenges to overcome. The playing area was converted to a SIS Grass hybrid system with South Wales Sports Grounds also replacing the 3G surrounds with a custom “Amber” coloured carpet.
“Well done to all the team @rondey parade – if only South Wales Sports Grounds did hair transplants…I’d be all over it based on their great work at the mighty Rodney Parade. Looking fantastic today.”
Mark Jones – Managing Director Jon Raymond – Facilities Manager
Contract Value
£1 Million
Constuction Duration
14 weeks.
Completion Date
September 2021
Facility Details
Full size Hybrid tier 1 Rugby / Football Pitch.
World Rugby accreditited 3G surround.
Hybrid Technology is the one of the newest sports playing surfaces and represents one of the most common playing facilities for higher end sporting venues. Hybrid surfaces make up the pitches at every major football and rugby tournaments around the world.
Hybrid Turf systems combine 95% natural with 5% artificial to create a surface blending the playing characteristics of a natural surface that players prefer, with the stability and durability of an artificial. The surfaces’ installation has all the major features of premium surface’s including stone, sand and rootzone layers as well as irrigation, drainage and aeration infrastructures. The key difference being the final surface is stitched vertically with artificial strands for the root structures to bind onto so to provide a horizontal and sheer strength.
As a of Support in Sport (SIS), South Wales Sports Grounds construct hybrid surfaces from the ground up, inclusive of the foundation and civils infrastructure. Once the surface is seeded and fertilised, SIS Pitches can install their patented SISGrass product ready for play both training and competitive shortly after.
Hybrid Facilities need annual renovations, as with other top end facilities, which we can provide as part of our service. For renovation services click here.
The Fitzalan High School project in Leckwith, Cardiff represented one of the largest in the company’s history. A project encompassing a multitude of surface types and construction methods the Fitzalan project showcased the variety and depth of knowledge we could carry out.
This development, on behalf of Kiers, included the construction of a Tier 1 hybrid surface, 3G FIFA Quality football pitch, 3G World Rugby pitch, 2G sand filled Multi Use Games Areas, full-size natural grass pitch and IAAF hammer throw cage and landing area. The project also includes the future construction of an FIH standard hockey surface, tarmac tennis courts and additional natural grass facilities all to be completed within the next year.
For all 7 pitches constructed we built bespoke drainage systems, perimeter fencing, tarmac paths, sports equipment, team shelters and floodlighting as well as the being the installers of the irrigation systems on the hybrid pitch and grandstand bases on the World Rugby 3G.
Alongside groundworks and landscaping contractors South Wales Sports Grounds managed pitch construction throughout the winter months for a phase 1 package completion in the summer of 2021 and handover to the client for use during the during construction of the new school.
The site is situated in a hub of sporting excellence in Leckwith, Cardiff, alongside Cardiff’s International Athletics Track which South Wales Sports Grounds redeveloped in 2019 as well as being alongside the existing Canton 3G and grass fields we constructed in 2016-2017 and Gol Centre Cardiff 5-a-side pitches, we resurfaced in 2020.
“Your teams’ collaboration, coordination and understanding of our requirements have been excellent. Nothing seems to be too much trouble and your team are truly client focused. The collaborative approach has been very refreshing especially with our programme issues in respect to delays to various pitches. Please on behalf of myself and the Kier Team thank your team for their efforts so far. May it long continue.”
Andy Miles – Keir
Site Address
Fitzalan High School Lawrenny Ave, Cardiff, CF11 8XB
Client
Andrew Miles – Keir
Contract Value
£3.35 Million
Construction Duration
12 Months
Completion Date
August 2021
Facility Details
Full Size SISGrass Hybrid Football Pitch FIFA and World Rugby Accredited 3G Surfaces Fullsize natural soil football pitch Large natural grass throwing areas Sanddressed MUGAs
The playing surface at Fairwood training academy was constructed using a SIS stitched hybrid system utilising polyethylene monofilament dual tone colour filament and natural grass combination. The surface works were constructed on a new rootzone, sand and sacrificial and grit stone base.
Together with an 8-year warranty, SIS Grass and South Wales Sports Grounds supplied a world class state of the art surface, irrigation and drainage system as well as some ancillary fencing, pathway and edge constructions. South Wales Sports Grounds were responsible for all aspects of the construction build‐up with SIS Pitches completing the final stitching of the hybrid surface.
“In the summer of 2017 South Wales Sports Grounds together with SIS grass constructed 3 new, state of the art hybrid pitch at our first team training facilities at Fairwood. The work was completed to a very high standard and within the tight time frame. Site safety was ably considered and SWSG managed aspects of the build and aftercare well. The team worked with politeness and professionalism throughout and contributed to a World class end product.
We’ve used SWSG for all our renovations and new build projects over the last four years and I would thoroughly recommend their services for any future endeavours”.
Rhidian Stephens
Swansea City A.F.C. Project Manager
Site Address
Fairwood Training Grounds, Upper Killay, Swansea SA2 7JX
Contact
Rhidian Stephens Swansea City A.F.C. Project Manager
Construction Duration
10 Weeks
Completion Date
July 2017
Facility Details
SIS Hybrid state of the art stitched surface Combination of Natural and Artificial
In the summer of 2019 South Wales Sports Grounds (SWSG) were commissioned to replace the existing surface inside the Swansea.com Stadium, Swansea City AFC’s main pitch. The existing Hybrid system had been in place for 8 seasons and was in need of an upgrade. Alongside Support in Sport (SIS), SWSG removed the existing stitched makeup, rootzone and base sand and replaced with a new stitched and natural grass combo providing a technologically advanced, reinforced turf system.
Utilising LPS positional accuracy the pitch was re-laid to a domed shape enabling excellent surface drainage and prime stadium viewing conditions.
With a stitching and growing in period well managed by all parties, the surface was playable again before the first game of the 2019-2020 season.
“I would just like to say the service and support I’ve had off South Wales Sports Grounds is nothing but the best, all staff are very supportive, friendly and work with you at all time. I would highly recommend to anyone who’s interested in improving they’re facilities and taking things to the next level.”
Swansea City Grounds Manager
Site Address
Swansea.com Stadium, Plasmarl, Swansea SA1 2FA
Client
Andrew Davies – Head of Operations
Contract Value
£600,000
Construction Duration
5 weeks
Completion Date
Summer 2019
Facility Details
9000sqm Stich SISGrass Hybrid Pitch
3G Surrounds
Upgraded Irrigation System
During the 2019-2020 pre-season, South Wales Sports Grounds (SWSG) renovated the Parc Y Scarlets stadium pitch from an existing fibre elastic / sand surface to a top of the range patented hybrid system.
The Parc Y Scarlets, home to the Llanelli Scarlets, was renovated and remodelled to a domed finish constructed using the latest LPS positional technology.
Alongside Support in Sport (SIS), SWSG removed the existing fibre sand and rootzone replaced with a new stitched and natural grass combo providing a technologically advanced, reinforced turf.
“We would have no hesitation in recommending SWSG to carry out installation of Hybrid pitches and 4G synthetic Surfaces”
