PITCH MANAGEMENT
WEST PARKS'
'THE SYCAMORES' SECURES NORTHERN RUGBY
The opening of the new clubhouse at West Park Leeds
Rugby Union Football Club (RUFC) in July not only
marked the near completion of £5 million worth of
brand new facilities, but highlighted a merger that puts
Northern rugby on a whole new footing.
T
hree years ago Leeds RUFC amelioration before re-seeding. Mike
members club and what was Bidgood, whose official title is
then West Park Bramhope Development Treasurer but in reality, is
RUFC decided to amalgamate. performing the role of Project Manager,
Leeds was a private members club remembers the weather conditions at the
without a team, having had to let time. “The first team pitch had just got The new clubhouse at West Park Leeds RUFC.
their professional side go to Paul seeded and it rained for two months
Caddick, owner of Headingley giving us almost perfect growing
By the middle of the month Mike Leeds Metropolitan University and the
Stadium, while West Park had conditions,” he recalls. Pugh-Lewis also
Bidgood was supervising the installation Leeds Carnegie Academy whilst in the
thriving amateur squads from installed sand slits on the training pitch
of an irrigation system to feed the first summer the Leeds Akkies field two men's
seniors down to minis. Leeds had and white post and rail perimeter fencing
XV pitch. Floodlighting had been and one women's team. We have year
assets of £2 to £3 million, while West around the first team pitch. By the
installed on the first pitch, the grass round Rugby, and I doubt if anyone in the
Park was sorely short of facilities. beginning of the 2007/08 season the club
training pitches and the all weather pitch. North of England has better facilities. The
Almost ten years of negotiations with had two upgraded/re-constructed pitches
The comprehensive drainage system quality of work from J Pugh-Lewis is
Leeds City Council ended with Leeds in play plus a well drained training pitch.
(serving the pitches, car parks and very, very good. Several of the players
RUFC selling their Chandos Park ground Later in 2007 work began on the three
buildings) including the balancing pond from the Carnegie Academy play for
and buying 22 acres adjacent to the West new pitches, adjacent to the existing club
was in place, and the only part of the plan England age group sides. One of them
Park club to build three new pitches. grounds. Following earthmoving work to
to be completed was the demolition of the commented on the standard of our first
Eventually in 2006 the plans went create three separate plateaux, Pugh-
old clubhouse to be replaced with another XV pitch saying that 'he'd played on
through for not only a new clubhouse, but Lewis laser graded the pitches and
car park. many top-flight club's pitches that weren't
also a new all weather pitch, the three installed the pipe drain systems.
“The Sycamores, which is what we've as good as ours'.”
FSA
new pitches on the newly acquired land, Returning in spring 2008 they cultivated
named our new ground now caters for the
new car parking, an extensive drainage the whole area and ameliorated the
three amateur adult teams, as well as the For further information on
system taking water from the pitches, the pitches with sand. Sand slits were then
minis and the juniors, which make up J Pugh-Lewis contact the company on
roof of the buildings and car parks into a injected directly into the seedbed
about 250 players,” Mike explains. “We Tel: 01773 872362 or visit their website
balancing pond plus flood lighting for immediately prior to seeding in July.
also rent out facilities in the winter to the at: www.pugh-lewis.co.uk
three pitches and irrigation for the 1st XV
pitch.
J Pugh-Lewis arrived on site to begin
a two-year contract, which included
upgrading the club's existing pitches and
constructing the three new ones. “The
club, understandably didn't want to take
all the existing pitches out of commission
at the same time,” recalls James Pugh-
Lewis. “During the summer, as well as
putting in pipe drains on the training pitch
we installed pipe drains and sand slits on
the 2nd team pitch so that it would be
ready for the new season and available
for more matches. This freed up the 1st
team pitch and allowed a complete re-
construction the following Spring.”
Pugh-Lewis sprayed off the grass,
laser graded, installed pipe drains and
sand slits and performed extensive soil J Pugh-Lewis at work on the !st pitch at West Park Leeds RUFC.
September/October 2008 | FOOTBALL & SPORTS ARENA | 39
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