RYAN Collins reckons more training will be the order of the day now work has finished on a new London blue synthetic hockey surface at Queens Park.

"The new synthetic is a lot smoother than the last surface and the ball will run quicker," Collins said.

"We will need to train harder."

Tom Mikkelsen can't wait to train and play on the new surface, while Jordan Eastwell is keen for an under-16 competition to start again.

"Hockey is fun; the new turf is awesome," he said.

Junior co-ordinator Phil Rolfe said the new surface would use a lot less water.

"It stays wetter for longer periods," he said.

Hockey players shouldn't get carried away about synthetic hockey just yet.

Games are not scheduled yet on the field; work will continue on grandstands, fences, dugouts, technical benches and levy bank grass planting.

There will be working bees at 7am each Saturday until the end of March.

Rolfe said the repositioning of dugouts and the technical bench was required for Warwick to host state and national championships.

"The technical bench has to be on the edge of the field on the centre line and was previously further back," he said.

"Dugouts will now be closer to half-way."

The contractors left town yesterday after laying what is believed to be only the third London blue surface in Australia, the surface being used for the London Olympics.

TIMELINE

December 27, 2010 - Flood damage to southern end of synthetic surface at Queens Park

January 11, 2011 - Flood damage - synthetic rolled up by flood and shock pad destroyed

September 14, 2011 - Sports Minister Phil Reeves announces grant of $481,670

February 1, 2012 - Work starts on new London blue synthetic field construction

February 15, 2012 - Contractors leave after laying shock pad and synthetic.

March 31, 2012 - Projected finish date and resumption of synthetic hockey.