Hockey turf set for revamp

SOLID FOOTING: Hockey players may be able to enjoy the benefits of two water turfs in Clareville in future.PHOTO/FILE

The Carterton District Council has committed to providing $10,000 a year for the next three years to upgrade the southern hockey turf at Clareville.

The decision is outlined in this year's annual plan.

Wairarapa Artificial Sport Surfaces Trust chairperson Lindsay Annear said the southern turf was due to be developed. He is going through the process of gaining funding from the three Wairarapa district councils, Sports Surfaces Trust, Eastern and Central Community Trust and other community trusts.

The top layer of the turf wasmade up of wet-dressed artificial material, which was a combination of a water-based and sand-based turf, but Mr Annear said the plan was to develop it into a full water turf.

Such turf required no sand infill and was irrigated with a layer of water to provide smooth playing conditions.

Mr Annear said the base of the turf ideally would consist of asphalt for the most solid playing surface possible.

"We have the opportunity to future-proof, if we asphalt the base it will last for about 50 years," Mr Annear said.

The first priority would be fixing the surface of the turf which was now "past its use-by date".

The surface of the southern turf hasn't been upgraded for 12 years and needs to be re-laid to straighten undulations and compensate for general wear and tear.

Mr Annear said an upgraded turf would strengthen hockey in Wairarapa, especially in making the hosting of tournaments more viable, with both turfs at Clareville providing equal playing conditions.

Dalefield Hockey junior co-ordinator Kevin Harvey said the development of a second turf would be great for hockey in the region.

"Having a second (developed) turf would make things a lot easier for everyone. Then we could host international games," Mr Harvey said.

The northern water turf was completed in 2009 and has been regarded as a success by the hockey community in Wairarapa.