More playing comfort, less maintenance

Mandel United opts for innovative playing surface

When developing a football pitch today, stakeholders look beyond the quality of the turf alone. Clubs, local authorities and grounds managers are seeking solutions that are sustainable, require less maintenance and guarantee consistent playing quality. For the recent redevelopment of Mandel United’s main pitch in Izegem, an artificial turf system was therefore selected that incorporates the latest industry innovations.

For Sportinfrabouw, the Belgian specialist in the construction and maintenance of sports infrastructure, the project provided an excellent opportunity to implement a technique that has already proven its value internationally. Since 1984, the Essen-based company has delivered sports facilities of all types and sizes, ranging from football pitches and athletics tracks to complete sports parks. Increasingly, the focus is on innovative solutions that extend the lifespan of sports surfaces while reducing maintenance costs.

From problematic pitch to future-proof solution

The story began several years ago. After eight years of intensive use, the existing artificial pitch no longer met the required standards. For the club, this was the signal to take a thorough look at the future of its infrastructure. “Once it became clear that the existing artificial pitch had reached its technical limits, we didn’t simply look for a replacement,” explains Manu Vanryckeghem, Commercial Representative at Sportinfrabouw. “Our aim was to improve the playing experience, extend the lifespan of the pitch, reduce maintenance costs and lower its environmental impact.”

More than a conventional replacement

The final choice followed an in-depth analysis of various systems. Thanks to an adapted construction method, in which no performance infill material such as cork is used and only sand is applied, the pitch remains stable for longer and retains its sports performance characteristics over an extended period. This translates into more intensive use and lower maintenance costs for the club.

Less reliance on volunteers

“With this system, clubs no longer need to rely as heavily on extensive maintenance operations,” says Vanryckeghem. “The sports performance characteristics remain virtually stable throughout the lifespan of the pitch. Some maintenance remains necessary, but the workload is significantly reduced. The major expense associated with topping up infill material, as is the case with cork systems, disappears completely.”

The system has been closely monitored under Belgian conditions. The pitch was monitored throughout an entire season, during which its playing characteristics and overall condition were evaluated. The final inspection took place at the end of May and met expectations in full. This pitch system is now ready for wider implementation. It is the first artificial turf system with mineral infill available on the Belgian market.

Ambition for the Belgian market

Sportinfrabouw sees this approach as an important step towards the future of artificial turf pitches. Whereas conventional systems using cork or rubber can be associated with substantial maintenance costs, this solution offers a largely worry-free alternative.

The challenges faced by Mandel United are familiar to many football clubs looking to install their first artificial pitch or renovate an existing surface. With its new playing surface, the club has already established a promising reference project in West Flanders. Now that the results have confirmed expectations, this technique could well become the blueprint for a new generation of artificial turf pitches.