Australia's first Fieldturf Revolution synthetic playing surface has been opened at Cromer Park on Sydney’s Northern Beaches.

The $1.25 million surface has been constructed for the Manly United Football Club and Manly Warringah Football Association (MWFA) backed by Warringah Council, using the latest Fieldturf Revolution Synthetic Surface System.

Constructed by leading synthetic sports field specialist Turf One Pty Ltd the new surface at the first of Cromer Park's four pitches will allow usage of up to 60 hours per week, providing a improved playing surface for Manly United and alleviating pressure on other, often over-used, Warringah Council sports fields.

The surface was unveiled yesterday (Sunday), prior to the NSW Premier League Round 14 clash between Manly United v Sutherland Sharks, by Warringah Mayor, Michael Regan, along with Manly United and MWFA officials, former Socceroo Robbie Slater and other football identities.

Speaking at the opening, Mayor Regan stated "this is an historic moment for sport lovers on the northern beaches.

"Up to three times the amount of sport can be played on this surface and, in all weather conditions. I'm sure we'll see more champions come out of Warringah because of this great new facility."

The improvements to Cromer began in January and involved moving 4,000 metres3 of earth, some of which was used to rectify other local sportsfields.

Outlining the development, Turf One Project Manager Cameron Henery explains "Warringah Council was faced with the dilemma that during prolonged periods of wet weather the availability of sporting grounds in the ... area (was) a major problem for local sporting teams.

"Even with optimal weather conditions play on the council's natural grass fields is restricted to about fifteen hours a week, limiting their availability for training during the week.

"Council saw an opportunity to increase the utilisation of the Number One pitch at Cromer Park by investing in its conversion to synthetic turf.

"Turf One was successful in its tender for this conversion and was awarded the contract to design and construct an international standard synthetic turf soccer pitch certified to FIFA 1 STAR standard. "Council accepted Turf One's offer to install the FieldTurf Revolution™ synthetic surface and as a result can expect utilisation to increase to in excess of fifty hours per week, making it equivalent to more than three natural grass fields."

The new pitch includes design features that will raise the bar for synthetic fields in Australia, including a porous base with water harvesting facility and the latest development in football surfacing.

The technologically advanced FieldTurf Revolution™ football surface features a unique fibre profile and extrusion process that reduces fibre breakage; strong UV inhibitors that protect the turf from Australia's harsh sunlight and specially formulated infill at over 44 kg/m² provides a safe and highest performance playing surface. The turf is manufactured using the patented Surelock™ coating system on the turf backing to provide unmatched tuft bind and drainage.

Cromer Park No.1 measures 125 metres by 76 metres with the football pitch marked out at 110 metres by 68 metres. At 9,500 metres2, the field is one of the largest in Sydney with more than adequate run-off's at each end and at each side.

Henery adds "the new field has a porous base constructed from three thousand tonnes recycled aggregates in a unique profile to provide optimal drainage and a flatter playing surface. Even during the heaviest downpours all storm water will drain efficiently and rapidly through the synthetic turf. "Pump wells and other infrastructure have been installed at the southern end of the field to facilitate future water harvesting. Water will be pumped to storage tanks and will be available for irrigating natural grass sports fields in the reserve."

Explaining the practicality of the new surface, MWFA President Ray Fanning stated "the new synthetic field at Cromer Park showed its true value recently when most fields were washed out due to the heavy rains.

"The new field played like a dream, everyone was happy with the quality and enjoyed playing on the new surface. We just need more of them."

In addition to the new synthetic surface at Cromer Field No. 1, Warringah Council is calling for tenders to construct another field at Cromer Park - the first new sports field in Warringah in over 20 years - and beginning the planning process for the reconstruction of Forestville Playing Fields on Melwood Avenue, Forestville.

The work represents an investment by Warringah Council of more than $3 million on improving the area's sports fields this financial year, with nearly $3 million more earmarked to be spent in 2012-2013.

Mayor Regan says the new facilities at Cromer will also help sporting codes adding "the increased capacity at Cromer will flow onto Council's other sports grounds allowing flexibility in their management and improving their quality.

"This is a win for all people who use Warringah's sports fields – in all codes and there's an added benefit for the environment because we'll be able to capture water from the surface and use it to irrigate the nearby grass fields.

"We won't be using as many fertilisers, which is great for the health of the Dee Why Lagoon catchment."

Goalposts at the ground were provided by Australian Harrod agents one80Sports.

Ground Facts:
Location: Cromer Park, South Creek Road, Cromer. NSW.
Size: Synthetic surface: 125m x 76m = 9,500m²;
Football Pitch: 110m x 68m with 7.5m run-off from the goal lines and with 3.0m and 4.0m run-offs from the touch lines. The pitch conforms to FIFA Standards.
Surface: FieldTurf Revolution - polyethylene multi-ridged monofilament synthetic turf.
Infill: 290 tonnes of kiln dried sand and crumbed rubber reclaimed from 15,000 used car tyres have been installed in a patented process to provide a safe, high performance playing surface.
Base: 3,000 tonnes of graded aggregates.
Drainage: Deep layers aggregates have been laid down to provide a more efficient evacuation of rainwater from the surface than afforded by a network of agricultural pipes commonly employed for such fields.
The increasing depth of aggregates under the lower sides of the field not only flattens the playing surface, but provides more void space allowing for both retention and efficient transmission of water to the collector drains.
Sustainability/water harvesting: FieldTurf's commitment to the environment is demonstrated through their development of technology that allows the recycling of the surface once the turf has reached the end of its useful life. All surface water is conveyed to the existing drainage infrastructure which allows for future water harvesting. It is estimated more than 11 million litres of stormwater could be collected over twelve months.
Project Commencement Date: January 2012 
Project Completion Date: June 2012
Pitch Maintenance: Turf One 'FieldCare'™ Final 

Other Specifics:
Shock pad: The FieldTurf surfacing system achieves Maximum Safety and Performance without the need for an underlying shock pad. The field is neither too hard, nor too soft. MSP is achieved with a G-Max rating within the 120-180 range. All properly maintained FieldTurf fields conform to MSP standards in providing maximum shock absorbency and energy restitution, helping those who play on FieldTurf to stay safer and more energised throughout the course of the game.
Pitch: Tufted goal, touch and centre lines; other lines installed using hot melt adhesive without cutting the turf backing; all seams between panels of turf have been sewn; in-ground sleeves fitted for corner flags; permanent goals complete with nets.
Fencing: Black powder coated pedestrian fencing 1.2 metres high with black PVC coated chain wire mesh fence.
Pathways: Concrete footpaths on both sides and at the northern end of the field to provide access for players and spectators.
Certification: Pitch testing was completed in June 2012 for certification to FIFA 1 STAR standard.
All weather: Capacity to be used during all weather conditions including its use for intensive training sessions during the week, whilst providing a high-performance facility for weekend competition.

For more information go to www.turfone.com.au

As of 2015,  FieldTurf Tarkett products are distributed in Australia by FieldTurf Australia.

Click here to contact FieldTurf Australia via their entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.

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