The spring preparation is well underway at the park. Actually the work never stops but it certainly slows down over winter.
With some warmer spring weather arriving our grounds staff from DR Pitches Limited have been able to make good progress with the pre-season block preparation. As the moisture build up in the blocks from winter starts to dry off Dave has been able to progress the cross-rolling on all 5 blocks with our heavy Sakai roller begin the process of compacting the clay.
Pre-season cross-rolling is the key to quality pitches through the season. The blocks are rolled in a ‘union jack’ pattern and will each get around 12-20 hours in total across the next month. As the moisture pulls out of the clay through Spring the block surfaces dry – and the clay shrinks leaving spaces, a bit like an Aero bar of chocolate. Those spaces are closed down through compaction under the roller to achieve a solid profile in the top 100mm of clay.
Back in April the finished autumn wicket renovations post-season renovations were completed by ReadyLawn Industries and, thanks to Roger Morgan & his team, and the blocks have excellent grass coverage. Dave will fertilise them again over the few days to maintain plant health as the preparation continues.
As always the process is weather dependent – so fingers crossed for some warm & dry weather though until the season commences on Saturday 3rd of October
The Christchurch City Council park turf team plan to start spring renovations to the outfield & football goal mouths next week. They will also repair a badly rutted run up on the artificial net run-ups.
Usually this task should be completed In Autumn, however as the football pitch end goal line crosses over this area and winter season starts early it is not practical to get done then. We also have the Artificial nets in use throughout the year.
We will rope off this lanes run up throughout October to help it recover. This net will still be able to used – just with a short run up.
A recent bizarre theft of the rope that we use to rope off the grass practice wickets – stolen around 6.00am on a Thursday morning means the struggle is real for clubs.
A request has been submitted through Christchurch Metro Cricket for CCC Parks to replace the gates on the artificial nets since they have rusted out. We also suggested to add a third gate which will lengthen the net area, enhancing safety while also allow for throwdowns.
These requests can take time to process, so watch this space.
