Pitch Returfing with Natural Turf

SIS has spent many years building an enviable reputation in designing and installing natural turf sports pitches, whilst also specialising in the returfing of existing venues.

Installing turf in stadia and at other sporting venues is not a simple process. It demands a complete understanding of the sporting environment. It is also essential to utilise the correct equipment and machinery to ensure the turf survives both during and after installation and that the finished surface delivers the required final results.

SIS have been selected to install pitches throughoutEurope. Some prestigious sporting events that have taken place on our pitches include The UEFA European Champions League Final, European Championship Matches, The World Cup Finals, The European Rugby Heineken Cup Finals and The European Parker Pen Finals to name but a few. (Left: Amsterdam Arena - click to enlarge)

SIS installed the 2008 UEFA Champions League Final Pitch

A natural turf pitch was installed by SIS at the Real Madrid Stadium

Read also about SIS pitch installations at:
the Parken National Stadium Denmark 
the Donbass Arena Ukraine (home to FC Shakhtar Donetsk)

Today's multi-functional venues see their pitch as a business asset which must be utilised fully to generate additional annual income.

• What is Returfing?
  This is the removal of an existing surface and the replacement with a purpose grown turf. It is suitable for all sports playing surfaces on grass including soccer, rugby, cricket, gold and tennis
• Why Returf?
  Two principal reasons: the environment in modern stadia does not allow turf to survive and therefore needs to be replaced and multi-functional stadia see their pitch as an asset which must be utilised to generate additional income for the stadium
• Financial Benefit
  One of the principal reasons for under usage at sporting venues is the fear of damage to the pitch. At a time when soccer club costs are rising and sponsorship is proving more difficult to obtain, the stadium is an asset which could generate far greater annual revenue. Many clubs are realising this fact and are now installing 20mm turf in July rather then having summer renovations in May. This extra two months before renovations allows the clubs to hold concerts and summer events, thereby dramatically increasing revenue at a time when traditionally this has not been possible. The cost of installation for a 20mm returf can be less than £50,000, which is easily recoverable by the additional utilisation of the stadium for alternative events.
• The Bottom Line
  Utilisation of the stadium and the pitch allows more revenues to be generated which can pay for new players or new facilities. The asset is there to be used!