‘Horrendous’ weather condition challenges met by Speedcut

Speedcut Contractors have found this one of the most 'horrendous' weather years on record - but are completing a busy round of sportsturf jobs despite the dreadful summer and autumn rains.

"It's certainly a question of dealing with jobs according to the weather patterns," says contracts manager Kevin Smith. "The wet weather has been horrendous this year and we have completed jobs as and when we can.

"The rain has played havoc with our work patterns but we have been meeting the demands of clients by switching between jobs according to the ground conditions."

Among the projects halted by the wet weather is the re-construction of two new pitches for Swansea Rugby Club.

Says Kevin: "The weather has certainly influenced the progress of this contract, which will not now be completed until next year."

Projects completed have included the building of a new Gaelic football pitch near Wembley stadium for Brent Council, constructing a new football pitch at Shenstone, near Birmingham, and constructing a new football pitch for a college at West Bromwich.

At Radley College, near Oxford, Speedcut created a large plateau for new sports pitches on former agricultural ground, dealing with various soil condition problems and an underground spring.

While the weather has been a nightmare this year," says contracts manager Barry Pace, "we have managed to complete a wide variety of sportsturf construction and renovation jobs by working between weather fronts and by being vigilant not to create undue damage to areas.

"This has certainly been one of the toughest years as far as unpredictable weather is concerned - and another big challenge contractors have to face. Patience and bravado have been two key words to describe the best way to deal with this weather when time has allowed."

Speedcut managing director Dick Franklin, who founded the business at his Oxfordshire base in 1977, says: "The weather this year has been the worst on record for contractors but we have been pleased with the results we have achieved on a wide variety of sports surfaces despite the challenges."

GOLF PROJECTS

Golf work included Foxhills Resort and Golf Club where Speedcut have completed more bunker remodelling, tee re-levelling, path improvement and greens drainage. They have also installed artificial tees on the Manor course.

In Kent Speedcut constructed new tees, artificial pathways and installed drainage at the historic Chislehurst Golf Club and nearby at Sundridge Park Golf Club they built a new driving range, dredged and re-shaped a pond for a new bridge and walkway and relocated and levelled tees.

Speedcut also carried out tee rebuilding work at Orpington Golf Club, Kent, for owners Mytime Active.

Moor Park Golf Club in Hertfordshire had an old wetland area completely dredged and deepened while at Gerrards Cross Golf Club in Buckinghamshire, working with William Swan of Swan Golf Designs, Speedcut have started on improvements to the practice area with a new chipping green.

At Silvermere Golf Club, Surrey, they rebuilt the ninth tee and at Wimbledon Park Golf Club carried out drainage.
Drainage was also installed at Royal Mid Surrey, Old Fold Manor, Barnet, and Highgate Golf Clubs.

WINDSOR RACECOURSE TREATED

Speedcut's Gwazae deep-probe aerator was in action at Royal Windsor Racecourse following IOG Saltex - decompacting the track where the temporary crossovers were situated. They also treated other areas of the course.

Heavy rainfall during the year has led to an increase in requests for Gwazae treatment and winter treatments on greens and pitches will start shortly.

ARTIFICIAL SURFACES

Artificial grass play surfacing was installed for All Saints Church at Addlestone, Surrey, and at Kings College School in Surrey artificial grass was installed for player access to the new sports pavilion.

A pre-school play area artificial grass area was installed for St. Hugh's School at Carswell, near Oxford, where new rugby and hockey pitches have also been sown down in the last few weeks.

SPEEDCUT DETAILS: 01865 331479. www.speedcutcontractors.co.uk