Thornton Sports at the senior end of synthetic grass
September 04, 2010
The impressive facilities at Clontarf constructed by Thornton Sports Ireland.
Sports Consultant Mr Eric O Donnell Managing Director Sports Labs had this to say "the research and development in the whole area of synthetic surfacing has been advancing at lightning bolt speed, the main cause of this advancement has been driven by the raised expectations of the various sporting codes none more so than the GAA. The association are fully aware of the unique products they have in both Hurling and Gaelic football and realise that for the games to be played at the pace and skills level required it is essential that the surface perform to the highest standard, so as to deliver the very best playing conditions".
Dublin City Council, tendered Alfie Byrne Park in 2008 the tender attracted competition from not alone Ireland but from many overseas contractors. It was finally decided that the contract would be awarded to Galway based Thornton Sports Specialist Sports Surface Engineers.
The complexity of the project required a company who had the necessary expertise, ability and product range to take on this massive task.
In total the Alfie Byrne Project is just over 24,000m2 of synthetic grass surfacing, it is unique not alone for the sheer size of the project but also the number of disciplines it caters for, each built to meet their respective Sporting discipline codes of compliance. There is no other sporting venue like Alfie Byrne anywhere else. On site there is a Full Size Gaelic Pitch built and tested which fully complies with the GAA's new code of compliance, in addition there is a full size Rugby pitch, it has been tested and fully complies with IRB Reg 22 and IRFU testing it also passes the FAI's F.A. standard. In addition the site also hosts a 3000m2 multi use area suitable for a wide range of contact sports.
Paul Copage Managing Director of Thornton Sports, no stranger to large projects with twenty five years experience in the Sports building industry, is absolutely thrilled with this project. "We fully understood the demands we would be facing when taking this project on, and the uniqueness of the build. It is a very special project for us and one that we can all take immense pride in. Over the last twelve years Thornton Sports have been selected to work on some of the country's most prestigious projects, Alfie Byrne fits in perfectly into our portfolio of completed works. The fact that it has been tested and passed the New GAA Code is wonderful. Because it is the first of its kind in the Country is an added bonus for us and cause for great celebration within the company. We always do our best to provide top quality venues, at the most competitive price. In these uncertain economical times, the Alfie Byrne Park project has been a great Moral boost to everybody in Thornton's."
Marketing and Development Manager Dick Ridge added "To think that on one site Gaelic Football and Hurling, Rugby and Soccer can be played simultaneously on the latest in advanced synthetic technology is fantastic, we will most certainly be advising potential clients to visit and experience these pitches first hand.
"Sport and Quality performance are really what Thornton Sports are all about. Based in Portumna you would have to be, I think most people who know anything about Hurling will say how much they admire Portumna's style of Hurling, we are very proud of our hurlers and all that they have achieved, and I would like to think that they look at our success in this industry and feel equally as proud. We would often discuss the qualities and merits of a good surface with the lads and always welcome their contribution.
Labosports the Sports Consultancy firm who wrote the specification for the GAA's code of compliance visited Clontarf and carried out independent field testing on the artificial pitch. We receive their findings recently and the results show a resounding pass on all elements without exception. These tests included testing for "HIC" Head Impact Criteria, Vertical Deformation, Ball Bounce and Roll for both Football and Sliotar and Rotational resistance.
"We are delighted with the results as are the client Dublin City Council, the fact that the venue passed in such a confident manner is a testimony to the hard working lads in the company who painstakingly worked on making this fantastic venue the very first of its kind.
For more details contact:
Dick Ridge, Thornton Sports Ireland on 087-9741955/086-8096068
Email: [email protected]
www.thorntonsports.ie Tweet
