Synthetic pitch at Gardiners Reserve

Published on 09 February 2018

Update

The synthetic soccer pitch at Gardiners Reserve (Burwood) was officially opened in June 2018.

The $2.3 million project includes a FIFA-certified one-star synthetic pitch which can be split into two half pitches or four small-sided fields to cater for greater usage.

The all-weather synthetic pitch requires less maintenance, watering and no preparation for the winter season.

The new pitch will help alleviate the overuse of neighbouring sports grounds. It also provideds the opportunity for increased participation in sport through new teams, particularly juniors, and the introduction of female teams in the future.

The works also include carpark improvements and LED (energy-efficient) sports lighting.

The 100 lux LED sports lighting (the first for Monash) is energy and cost-efficient and will contain light spill to inside the reserve area.

Background

Upgrades to Gardiners Reserve (Burwood) are progressing with a new synthetic grass pitch constructed at the site.

You can watch time-lapse footage of the works unfolding at the video below.

The works are expected to be completed by the end of March.

To prepare for the new pitch shock pads and drainage cells were installed to reduce surface wear on the pitch.

The new synthetic grass surface replaced the natural turf soccer pitch and will maximise the opportunities for training and games for local soccer clubs, as well as recreational, school groups and other users.

Synthetic surfaces can withstand more use than natural surfaces so the new surface will be able to be played on more regularly than the previous surface Council awarded the contract for its design and construction to Polytan Asia Pacific Pty Ltd at the 25 July 2017 Council meeting.

Community consultation on the synthetic sporting pitch and associated works were held in March and April 2017.