The Millennium Stadium Pitch now being unloaded at Bridgend…
Posted on: April 8, 2009 by normanmaitland posted in News
Hard to believe that the polyethylene plastic modules on the fork lift truck and in the trailer above are a vital part of the pitch at the Wales Millennium Stadium, but for us it’s part of the continuing project to rebuild the pitch modules for the international venue, a project spread over four years and involving the preparation of almost 8000 identical modules.
“What the layman might not know is that the pitch at the Millennium Stadium has thousands of these modules under the turf so that the playing surface itself can be removed or replaced quickly without having to dig up the area of the rootzone,” says Gareth Rees, Inscapes Chief Executive. “Our task is to prepare the modules with specially chosen rootzone material so that once the modules are in place at the stadium the playing surface can be laid quickly.”
The whole pitch system – which has worked successfully in the stadium for the last ten years - will have been replaced by 2010. The Millennium Stadium’s commitment to the system – which is manufactured in Athens for a company based in Georgia, USA, and which has been used for everything from Herb Gardens to the Birds Nest Stadium in Beijing - is testimony to its worth.
“The modular pitch system at the Millennium Stadium is unique in the UK,” says Gerry Tomms, Millennium Stadium Manager. “The ability to move the pitch system allows us the maximum flexibility to stage all forms of events including motor sport, monster jam, exhibitions and conferences The logistical task to install and remove the pitch is delivered to us by our Welsh partners INSCAPES.”
“Apart from the American and Greek connections this is very much an all-Welsh affair,” says Gareth Rees. “The modules were transported here by South Wales haulier FSEW in 5 trucks carrying 440 modules each. They were with us in less than a week although the modules will not be required by the stadium until August so they will have plenty of time to settle once they are filled. The next stage of the process will be to set the pitch out in our yard and fill them with special drainage material and then the rootzone.”
