Bellbird Park
Turning a soccer field into a sustainable turf solution
Victoria

The initial assessment of the Bellbird Park soccer pitch revealed several pressing issues:

Waterlogged conditions

The field’s poor drainage significantly impacted usability, leading to increased maintenance costs and reduced playability.

Funding constraints

Securing adequate funding was essential to initiate the renewal process, necessitating a detailed cost estimate to demonstrate the project’s viability.

Poor subgrade material

The geotechnical investigation identified that the existing soccer pitch was constructed on a clayey silt subgrade material that is less than ideal for construction. 

SPORTENG implemented several strategic solutions throughout the planning and construction phases:

Subgrade remediation

To ensure construction works could adequately be undertaken on the existing subgrade material, the design team specified the need to stabilise the clayey silt material with lime and cement to provide an adequate construction platform.

The benefits of tailored Management Plans

Stop the “Set and Forget” approach:  Maintaining a Field of Play requires a tailored Management Plan that addresses the specific needs of each specific Field of Play. Blanketed Management Plans for multiple Fields of Play generally result in wasteful practices with a low return on investment. A field-specific approach ensures optimal performance and a better return on investment.

Smart Design Integration

The SPORTENG team incorporated advanced sports engineering principles into the field design. This focus on smart design enhances player safety and performance while meeting sustainability targets. By considering factors such as soil composition and drainage patterns, we created a durable field that can withstand the rigours of regular use. 

Thoughtful agronomic design

The new sand profile surface will increase the carrying capacity of the natural turf pitch year-round. Not only does this improve playing and training conditions, but it also improves safety and meets the increasing demand for the sport of soccer and the growth of the Drouin Dragon Soccer Club.  

The Bellbird Park project provided valuable insights applicable to the broader landscape of natural turf Fields of Play: 

• Invest in Custom Management Plans: a tailored management approach not only optimises field performance but also ensures a better return on investment, making the most of limited resources. 

• Prioritise Intelligent Design: integrating engineering principles into field design can enhance overall functionality and longevity, aligning with sustainability goals in an era of tightening budgets. 

The transformation of Bellbird Park has also positively impacted the Drouin Dragons Soccer Club. "The existing facilities are 25 years old; we outgrew them a few years ago with our playing numbers, and the condition of the building is just not safe," stated Drouin Dragons President Jason Beer.  

The aging toilets, limited canteen, and small common room struggled to keep pace with the club’s growing membership, especially as junior player numbers surged. Seven years ago, the club had around 150 players, compared to 230 last year, and they anticipate reaching 300 players soon. 

Soccer has seen a massive increase in popularity, particularly among women, who now make up about 35% of the MiniRoos and similar numbers in junior teams. “We’ve got our dedicated U16 girls' team and a women’s team, and I wouldn’t be surprised if, in a couple of years, we have dedicated U12 and U14 girls’ teams as well,” Mr. Beer added. 

Source: Works begin on $4.1 million sports haven in Drouin

The successful transformation of the Bellbird Park soccer pitch stands as a testament to the potential of strategic planning and innovative design in transforming natural turf fields. As local councils and sports organizations face mounting challenges—tight budgets, resource scarcity, and environmental concerns—our experience at Bellbird Park underscores the importance of doing more with less.

By focusing on reuse, tailored management, and smart design, we can create sustainable, high-performing Fields of Play that serve our communities for years to come.