Shellharbour gets its field

Shellharbour Council Director of Operations, Arthur Webster inspects construction progress of the new playing fields at Myimbar with Shellharbour City Mayor Cr David Hamilton.

RESIDENTS of Shellharbour will have their own premier sporting complex by next year, according to Shellharbour Council Director of Operations, Arthur Webster, with construction work on the playing fields at Myimbar well underway and due for completion in mid-2008.

Three playing fields are being developed in a joint project between LandCom, Shellharbour Council and Cleary Bros, using the latest terchnology drawn from around the world.

A special strain of cooch grass, developed in the United States is being used for the playing surface, which Mr Webster says is harder wearing, easier to maintain and provides significant benefits in terms of weed management.

Mr Webster says a special South African developed soil additive called Sanoplant is being used in the field base as well.

Sanoplant was originally developed for use in arid regions and has been used very successfully in the Middle East, Mr Webster said.

Sanoplant is a natural organic additive made out of greenwaste that helps improve the storage of water and nutrients in the soil.

It will significantly reduce irrigation water demand while at the same time promoting healthier turf growth.

As far as I am aware, this will be the first time it has been trialled in Australia.

Another innovation being used in the development of the playing fields Mr Webster says, is a process called stollinising.

This process replaces traditional turf laying processes and uses a machine to actually plant the turf as it is laid, he said.

This helps to promote earlier establishment of the playing surface and develop a stronger root system of the turf.

When complete, the complex will comprise three double sized playing fields including an athletics oval, baseball diamond and cricket oval, catering for a range of sport including soccer, baseball, track and field, cricket and football.

It will also incorporate a large car park, toilet facilities, change rooms and a canteen.