Time out for surface facelift

Julian Luke | 2nd July 2009

ON Saturday the current artificial turf on the main Warwick playing field will be ripped up and replaced with a new international-standard synthetic surface.

(Front) Warwick Hockey Association president Peter Pickering with (back, from left) veteran's captain and coach Phil Rolfe, fixtures secretary Sam Hodgson and secretary Bec Wright.

Warwick Daily News

ON Saturday, the Warwick Hockey Association will rip up the current artificial turf on the main playing field, and replace it with a new international-standard wet or dry synthetic surface.

The replacement of the 13-year-old surface will cost more than $300,000 and has been in the pipeline for about two years, Warwick Hockey Association president Peter Pickering said.

“We will start to pull the carpet off, the synthetic surface, at 9am on Saturday,” Pickering said.

“Once it's up, the underlay or shock pad will be inspected to assess its condition.”

“It will take about one to one-and-a-half weeks to repair the underlay then about one to two weeks to lay the new surface... basically it's a three-week job.”

Senior men's and ladies' fixtures will take a hiatus until the end of July, with the occasional game being played on a Saturday afternoon on the grass fields if needed, Pickering said.

The replacement of the turf will be financed by a $200,000 loan from the Southern Downs Regional Council (SDRC) and a $50,000 federal government water grant, with the rest of the money to come from the Warwick Hockey Association's coffers.

“The new synthetic surface alone is about $270,000,” Pickering said.

“It is certified by the Hockey Federation as suitable for international matches.”

Pickering has asked any past and present Warwick Hockey Association members to drop down to the club at 9am on Saturday to help rip up the old surface.