Assets & Services Committee Meeting 27 November 2019 This Report relates to Item 13 in the Agenda “Lansdowne Park Sports Field Condition Assessment” Lansdowne Park sports field condition assessment Client: Marlborough District Council Date: October 2019 Email: [email protected] Web: www.nztms.co.nz Mob: +64 (0)27 285 5029 Advise Innovation Research Contents 1.0 Executive Summary ........................................................................................................ 3 2.0 Background ..................................................................................................................... 5 3.0 Sports field assessment .................................................................................................. 6 3.1.1.1 Key sports field data: .......................................................................................... 6 3.1.1.2 Sports field surface infiltration and compaction .................................................. 7 3.1.1.3 Organic matter (%) of top 75 mm ....................................................................... 8 3.1.1.4 Soil nutrient analysis of the sports field .............................................................. 9 4.0 Conclusions .................................................................................................................. 18 5.0 Options for sports field upgrade or enhancement ..................................................... 20-24 6.0 Recommendations ................................................................................................... 25-26 Email: [email protected] Web: www.nztms.co.nz Mob: +64 (0)27 285 5029 Advise Innovation Research 1.0 Executive Summary The key findings of the sports field assessment of Lansdowne Park were: 1. The current turf surface is ryegrass dominated with a high percentage of well dispersed Poa annua within the sward. There did not appear to be a seed head control programme in place regarding the Poa annua. 2. No significant issues relating to surface compaction or surface infiltration rates were identified as part of the assessment. The surface achieved the minimum requirement of 50 mm/hr surface infiltration (RWC11 Guidelines). 3. The existing soil profile consists of a sandy/silt topsoil that is prone to waterlogging following prolonged periods of rainfall. This soil type also has a poor physical structure and will be relatively high leaching in terms of moisture and nutrients throughout the drier summer months. 4. The existing surface levels were described as being ‘Poor’ for a premier sportsfield. A significant amount of variation was observed in surface levels. There appeared to have been settlement in localised areas of the field. Note: Such settlement is consistent with constructing a sports field from a sand/silt dominated soil. 5. No significant issues were identified through the soil nutrient analysis of the sports field. 6. The existing organic matter % content within the top 25 mm of the profile meets the ‘Desired level’ for a sand/soil-amended natural turf sports field. However, all other horizons exceeded the ‘Desired range’. 7. The average organic matter % content of the top 75 mm profile was in excess of the ‘Desired range’. 8. In consideration of the above factors, the current sports field construction significantly limits any future desires from MDC or Community stakeholders to increase the utilisation or usage of the surface beyond that which it is currently subjected to. Email: [email protected] Web: www.nztms.co.nz Mob: +64 (0)27 285 5029 Page | 3 Advise Innovation Research Based upon NZTMS’s experience and in-house Research & Development in relation to natural sports turf surface performance, the recommendation is to carry out the following programme of works upgrade: 1.1 Carry out a CCTV inspection of the existing primary drainage system to ensure absolute confidence in its operational performance 1.2 Removal of the top 50 mm of existing surface 1.3 Replacement (or clean out) of the existing primary drainage system¹ 1.4 Installation of a new automated irrigation system 1.5 Installation of a 100 mm deep amended sand carpet: (NZTMS recommends a 90% [sand] 10% [vermicast] blend). 1.6 Installation of sand slits at 500 mm centres (Potential to stage this: could be initially installed at 1 m spacings and decreased to 500 mm spacings in year 2) 1.7 Seed with ‘Super Strike’ ryegrass variety 1.8 Grow-in ¹ Pending the results of a CCTV inspection NZTMS does not recommend the installation a hybrid turf system at Lansdowne Park unless a robust business case can be made regarding increased utilisation of the playing surface for high level sport as well as increased booking for multi-functional events such as festivals, community events and concerts etc. Hybrid technology offers an excellent solution for a natural sports surface to better withstand adverse wear and tear and multi-use, however the significant additional cost of installing this product needs to be justified by the future forecasted utilisation of the venue. Email: [email protected] Web: www.nztms.co.nz Mob: +64 (0)27 285 5029 Page | 4 Advise Innovation Research 2.0 Background On the 17th October, 2019 New Zealand Turf Management Solutions (NZTMS) was engaged by Marlborough District Council (MDC) to carry out a site visit to the Lansdowne Park Stadium (Blenheim) and provide an independent sports field condition assessment of the existing playing surface. During the site visit a number of key performance factors were measured in order to quantify the current playing performance of the sports field as well as drive recommendations relating to the future enhancement of the sports field. The measurable performance factors were: 1. Organic matter accumulation (% Organic matter in the top 75 mm of the profile) 2. Soil nutrient status 3. Key soil profile characteristics (description of soil type) 4. Surface infiltration (the rate at which water drains away from the playing surface) 5. Surface turfgrass species composition, weeds, pests and plant density 6. Surface compaction 7. Gravel band inspection This report provides MDC with a summary of the key findings relating to key performance factors (1) to (7). In addition, the report provides applied interpretations of this data that has been used to develop costed options for the potential future enhancement of the site. Figure 1: Lansdowne Park in preparation for the 2019 Mitre 10 Cup semi-final Email: [email protected] Web: www.nztms.co.nz Mob: +64 (0)27 285 5029 Page | 5 Advise Innovation Research 3.0 Sports field assessment This section provides details of all of the findings and observations captured by NZTMS during the site visit. 3.1.1.1 Key sports field data: Visual assessment criteria Comments Score (1-5) ¹ Grass species Perennial rye grass Poa annua 4 Weed species Less than 2% estimated broad leaf weed presence 5 Dominant soil characteristic in Silt dominated loam (prone to de- top ≥100 mm of profile structuring and compaction) 3 ¹ Scoring system: 1= ‘Extremely poor for time of year’ 2= ‘Poor for time of year’ 3 = ‘Acceptable for time of year’ 4 = ‘Good’ for time of year’ 5 = ‘Excellent for time of year’ Email: [email protected] Web: www.nztms.co.nz Mob: +64 (0)27 285 5029 Page | 6 Advise Innovation Research 3.1.1.2 Sports field surface infiltration and compaction Surface infiltration (mm/hr) Surface infiltration analysis was conducted using a double-ring infiltrometer. Locations Measurement mm/hr (1) to (5) infiltration Average 53 RWC11 Guidelines require a ‘premier’ sports field to attain a rate of surface infiltration of: minimum 50 mm/hr. Surface compaction (PSI) A 15-point analysis of the surface was conducted using a hand held Penetrometer Location Measurement (PSI) Average 58 Good growing conditions (<100 psi) Fair growing conditions (100-200 psi) Poor growing conditions (>200 psi) No issues regarding surface infiltration rates or surface compaction were identified Email: [email protected] Web: www.nztms.co.nz Mob: +64 (0)27 285 5029 Page | 7 Advise Innovation Research 3.1.1.3 Organic matter (%) of top 75 mm Depth Dry weight (g) Burnt weight (g) OM % (mm) Content 0-25 159.65 135.45 15 25-50 233.69 207.59 11 50-75 217.56 198.54 9 Average Organic mater % content of top 75 mm 12% Above desired value Slightly above desired value Meets desired value Interpretation: 0-25 15.0% 25-50 9.0% 50-75 7.0% Average 10.3% Email: [email protected] Web: www.nztms.co.nz Mob: +64 (0)27 285 5029 Page | 8 Advise Innovation Research 3.1.1.4 Soil nutrient analysis of the sports field Soil Nutrient Analysis Report NZTMS Analytical M: 027 285 5029 Lansdowne Park E: [email protected] 1.0 Scope of Analysis This report provides an independent interpretation of Photo the soil nutrient analysis report carried out by Hill Laboratories. NZTMS has interpreted the results against the appropriate soil and turf species parameters. 2.0 Quick reference dial interpretation Potassium Calcium Phosphorus Value Value PointerValue 781 60 PointerValue 301 60 PointerValue 581 End 189 18060 End 189 18060 End 189 Sodium pH CEC Value Value PointerValue 601 60 PointerValue 551 60 PointerValue 601 End 189 18060 End 189 18060 End 189 Dial Interpretation: Below ' Optimum' range Within 'Optimum' range Above 'Optimum' range (not a concern unless Sodium) 4.0 Recommendations & Calculated deficits Within this section of the report, only those factors that have been identified as being 'outside of the 'Optimum range' have been specifically identified. No significant deficits or issues relating