Case Study - Sports Turf Use

Silica Sand for Sports Turf

The demand for top quality sports pitches at all levels from Premier League down to school pitches has increased significantly in recent years placing a premium on high quality turf surfaces in which good drainage, increased carrying capacity and high standards of maintenance are required.

The free draining quality of silica sand make it an idea material for such sports turf construction and maintenance.

For example, in a typical top class football pitch such as at Manchester Utd. or Chelsea or at the new Wembley Stadium the 200mm lower rootzone will comprise 100% sand with the 100mm upper rootzone 80% sand plus 20% soil. Such constructions will require 3-4,000 tonnes of sand dependant upon the size of the pitch.

Golf courses are also large users of sand both in construction and in annual maintenance. An 18 hole course will require at least 3,500 tonnes of an 80% sand rootzone for the construction of the greens, up to 1,000 tonnes of bunker sand and would typically use at least 100 tonnes p.a. of an 80% sand top dressing.