Synthetic cricket pitch covers: Maintenance and safety

Synthetic PItch Renewal edit.jpg

Council maintains nine dual use ovals with synthetic pitch covers (synthetic grass on a concrete base).

These are:

  • Quay Reserve, Torquay
  • Polworth Oval, Torquay
  • Grenville Oval, Torquay
  • Bob Pettit Reserve, Jan Juc
  • Bellbrae Reserve, Bellbrae
  • Ellimatta Reserve, Anglesea
  • Stribling Reserve, Lorne
  • Eastern Reserve, Winchelsea
  • Mount Moriac Reserve (main oval), Mount Moriac

During the football season all synthetic cricket wickets in the shire are covered with covers that meet AFL Guidelines.

The covers are designed to provide a safe and compliant playing surface for football.

After each cover is installed, we apply around 60kg - 80kg or rubber crumb fill and broom it into the synthetic pile.

We also run a sand and soil barrier around the edges of the cover to reduce any tripping hazards. The crumb, sand and soil all provide additional cushioning to the area.

The image shows the levels of a synthetic pitch cover.

Synthetic pitch cover levels.jpg

 

We take a proactive approach to maintaining the safety of our sport fields, inspecting them monthly. Cricket wicket covers are checked during each inspection.

The covers are also checked for any wear and tear during installation (around March) and removal (around September) each year.

Council is currently undertaking asset condition audits on all park assets, which will include the cricket wicket covers. This is part of our cyclical asset management program.

The AFL is currently reviewing standards for synthetic cricket pitch covers. We will implement any changes as required.

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