School Playing Fields: Planning and Design Guidance - VicSport

Figure 19: Suggested maintenance forpolymeric track and field facilities.ActionCheck facility, fixtures and fittingsRemove litter and debris as requiredRemove dust, leaves, rubbish andother detritus from the surfaceWash surface with a mild detergentand soft brush if it has becomestainedPower wash the polymeric surfacesTreat with fungicide and algaecideas necessaryCheck the surfaces carefully. Callin the installer if there is any causefor concern or if it is suspected thatthe surface needs re-coatingFrequencyDailyDailyWeeklyMonthlyAnnuallyAnnuallyAnnuallyCricket squaresThe routine maintenance of a natural grasscricket square is designed to create a true, fast,even bounce surface suitable for the playing ofcricket. Necessary actions are outlined in thetable opposite.Figure 20: Suggested maintenance forcricket wickets.ActionSetting up wickets for playRepairing wickets after play –scarify, top dress and over seedGrass cutting by hand on the squaremaintaining the height at 6mm overthe square through the season andeffectively ‘shaving’ the surface ofthe wicket due to be playedRolling the square and additionalrolling of wicket being preparedfor playAeration, scarifying, solid tining, topdressing and over seeding etcChemical treatmentsCutting outfieldAeration through tiningFrequencyWeeklyAfter use as requiredAllow cutting 3 timesper week April till endof September in total80 cuts pa.3 times per weekfrom April till end ofSeptemberStart and end ofseason maintenance6 applications offertilisers, applicationof selective herbicideand fungicide asrequired60 cuts per year4 time a yearArtificial grass wickets and practice facilities areless labour intensive than natural grass wicketsand require comparatively little maintenance.Care needs to be taken to ensure that detritusand decomposable materials are not allowedto build up on the synthetic surface and thatfungicide and algaecide is applied regularly.During the off season it might be necessary tolift the carpet and level the sand base to ensurethat a true surface continues to be provided.FloodlightingFloodlighting needs to be routinely maintainedin order to meet performance requirementseffectively over its working life. Maintenanceactions should include routine work on theelectrical services, cleaning of fittings andadjustment of aiming angles. When performancefalls below the specified level or when individuallamps fail, all lamps should ideally be replaced asa complete set and not as individual units.School Playing Fields 56School Playing Fields 57