North Chigwell Sports Ground
Designing innovative solutions for year-round play
Tasmania

The primary challenge was to design an effective drainage solution within the constraints of the existing site.

The poor-performing natural turf and the frequent saturation of the grounds made it essential to create a robust drainage system to ensure the fields remained playable year-round.

The goal was to produce a design that would not only improve the main senior pitch but also optimise the adjacent area for small-sided games, thereby providing a versatile and reliable playing surface for the Metro Football Club.

SPORTENG’s design team developed detailed construction drawings and technical specifications for a new drainage system to address the waterlogging issues.

The design incorporated sand slit drains and a subsoil pipe network to significantly improve the drainage capabilities of both the main pitch and the small-sided games area. Additionally, a sand carpet layer was included to facilitate the removal of surface water towards the drainage infrastructure, ensuring the fields remained dry and playable even during heavy rainfall.

To maximise the usability of the space, the design extended the footprint of the main senior pitch to over 140 meters in length from fence line to fence line. This expansion provided additional space for warm-ups and small-sided games, enhancing the pitch's functionality.

The stand-alone small-sided pitch was developed with dimensions of 90 meters in length and 53 meters in width, offering a dedicated area for smaller games and training sessions.

The redevelopment of North Chigwell Sports Ground has yielded remarkable results, transforming the facility into a high-quality sports venue.

The expanded main senior pitch now provides ample space for both competitive games and warm-up activities, while the dedicated small-sided pitch offers a specialised area for training and smaller matches.

These improvements have significantly enhanced the functionality and reliability of the sports ground, supporting the Metro Football Club’s activities and promoting greater community engagement in football.