Codicote Primary School Sports Pitch Construction

Objective for the Sports Pitch Construction

Sherriff was contacted to undertake a sports pitch construction project which involved repurposing a disused farm field into a high-quality sports facility for Codicote Primary School. This project was necessitated by the school's expansion plans and the need to alleviate pressure on the existing sports field.

The primary objectives of this sports pitch project were the construction of a premium-grade 7-a-side football pitch and the enhancement of the surrounding field into amenity turf to cater for various sporting activities.

Background:

We were contracted to complete the sports pitch construction after the principal contractor, responsible for the initial fencing installation, unexpectedly ceased operations. Secure fencing around the perimeter of the field was required to ensure the area was safe for the children and to prevent any potential trespassing.

By collaborating closely with Hertfordshire County Council, our focus was to fulfil the project's specifications and ensure the seamless progress of the school’s sports pitch construction, despite the unexpected transition of works.

Scope of Work:

Key tasks of the project encompassed the complete development of a 62m x 44m natural grass plateau for the football pitch, inclusive of perimeter renovations up to the newly installed fencing.

Additionally, a comprehensive 12-month maintenance programme was devised to nurture all areas and maintain an optimal playing surface condition.

Sports Pitch Construction Works Included:

• Removal of historic wire fencing to make way for the installation of new security fencing.
• Eradication of existing vegetation using herbicide.
• Excavation and preservation of topsoil for later use.
• Subsoil regrading to specified levels utilising precision equipment.
• Replacement and levelling of topsoil.
• Installation of primary pipe drainage system.
• Importation and laying of additional topsoil.
• Cultivation, reseeding, and application of sand top-dressing.
• Soil chemistry assessment and necessary management measures.

Challenges Faced and Additional Works:

The area had been marked to allow for the full size of the pitch to be installed. Using our specialised machinery, the existing pitch surface was cultivated and levelled with premium sports topsoil, which was shipped in and levelled to prepare the surface for installation.

During the project, issues with the sports pitch drainage were identified. Unfortunately, permission was not granted to use an existing storm drainage system, which meant the project reverted to the original plans, and an attenuation tank had to be installed. This oversight delayed the construction works as the pitch then needed to be excavated and reinstalled with a 300mm stone layer.

Further issues arose when a third-party incident near our work site severely restricted our access. To resolve this problem, the team had to liaise with an adjoining construction site to gain permission to use their access road. This allowed for our additional machinery to be safely brought in, enabling the team to move the materials the extra distance. The change more than trebled the distance from our site to our original tip site. To compensate for the additional distance, we hired additional machinery to ensure the project remained on track.

Additionally, adverse weather conditions hampered our progress on several occasions, forcing our team to abandon the site temporarily and return as soon as the weather permitted.

In March 2024, we commenced the first year of maintenance, once the weather allowed us to access the site. The pitch maintenance works aimed to have the field ready for use in time for the school sports day in July.

Through close collaboration and flexibility, the vision of delivering a premium sports facility that promises long-term benefits for both the school and the local community has been realised. The Sherriff team consistently ensures projects are completed successfully, despite unforeseen issues, demonstrating our commitment to excellence and adaptability.