British Company Replaces Real Madrid's Pitch In Blistering Heat

REAL MADRID’S famous Bernabeu stadium has been re-turfed by British company SIS (Support In Sport).

A team of eight worked in a sweltering 40degC heat to complete the job by the beginning of August – lifting turf from the Real Madrid training ground to transport in 21 lorries the 30-minute journey to the main stadium.

The same SIS team installed the pitch for the UEFA Champions League Cup Final in Moscow between Chelsea and Manchester United in May – and the Real Madrid contract brings their tally of returfs throughout Europe to more than 90.

Chief Executive Officer George Mullan said: “This was one of the most complex jobs SIS has done. It was a real challenge because of the heat and the access to the stadium – but the team worked tirelessly to complete the pitch on time.”

Pictured: Real Madrid stadium (click to enlarge).

The 80,400-seater stadium is in the centre of Madrid and there is only one small access tunnel 2.5 metres wide and 2.5 metres high.

Smaller machines than usual were used to remove the old pitch – 500 tonnes of soil transported through the tunnel and loaded on the side of a street. Then sand was brought in to mix with existing soils to a depth of 5cm.

SIS used a new Magnum 480 harvester supplied by Roks, a Dutch company, to lift the training ground turf.

More than 8,000 metres of 40mm turf were transported to the stadium and relaid above an existing Desso Grassmaster System (polypropylene fibres injected into rootzone).

SIS used a Sisavator machine the company has developed to remove the pitch – similar to a Koro but with a different action. A box-grade laser was used to level the base.

“We removed 6cms off the surface, which is 2cms more than usual,” said George Mullan. “Taking the old surface out and bringing in 5cms of sand and 8,000 metres of turf in terrific heat with limited access was a real challenge for the team.

“Real Madrid are delighted with the result and we were pleased to have achieved excellent results in such trying conditions.”