Reconstructing the prominent Citizens Park Oval in Richmond
Works began in September 2019 for Stage 1 of this project. The existing surface was compacted and slow draining, so Turfcare brought in the Power Harrows to break up the soil and relieve compaction. The team then incorporated amendments to utilise as much of the soil as possible. With the preliminary works complete it was time to install the subsurface drainage, and reinstate the irrigation system using the existing pipework and sprinkler heads.
The base was shaped and laser levelled to meet the new design contours, then the turf was ready to be installed on the first half of the oval.
Stage 1 was completed in November 2019 by laying 8000mts of Santa Ana. The turf was meticulously maintained over the next 6 weeks, in preparation to open for the next stage. Stage 2 commenced in January 2020; this gave the new turf time to establish, allowing Stage 1 to be open for use while the works on Stage 2 commenced. Following the same methodology, the surface was consolidated and prepared. The existing natural wicket table was extended and the installation of the coaches boxes was complete.
Once the final reshaping was finished, the Santa Ana turf was laid, using washed Santa Ana Couch on the turf wicket bench. The completion of the 2nd Stage was followed by an intensive 6-week maintenance period, ensuring both halves of the oval were in the best possible shape.
Positioned on a busy intersection, a traffic management plan during the project was also essential.
The team provided an exceptional result for the community and were able to keep the oval open consistently every day.
