Sport and Recreation Reference Group - North Sydney Council...The purpose of this report is to provide the Sport and Recreation Reference Group with an ... Understanding Australian

N O R T H S Y D N E Y C O U N C I L R E P O R T S

Sport and Recreation Reference Group Report SR06 - 14 July 2014

Attachments: 1. Cr Beregi Post Conference Report

SUBJECT: National Synthetic Surfaces Conference 2014 AUTHOR: David Manson, Manager Parks and Reserves ENDORSED BY: Rob Emerson, Director Open Space and Environmental Services EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: The purpose of this report is to provide the Sport and Recreation Reference Group with an update on the National Synthetic Surfaces Conference 2014. The National Synthetic Surfaces Conference was held from Tuesday 3 to Wednesday 4 June 2014 at Rosehill Racecourse. Two Council staff (Director Open Space and Environment Services and Manager Parks and Reserves) and four Councillors (Cr Beregi, Cr Barbour, Cr Morris and Cr Marchandeau) attended. Cr Beregi’s post conference report is attached (Attachment 1). With the impending conversion of Cammeray Oval to a synthetic surface attendance at this conference was very beneficial. FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS: Nil RECOMMENDATION: 1. THAT the report be received.

Report of David Manson, Manager Parks and Reserves Re: National Synthetic Surfaces Conference 2014

(2)

LINK TO DELIVERY PROGRAM The relationship with the Delivery Program is as follows: Direction: 1. Our Living Environment Outcome: 1.5 Public open space, recreation facilities and services that meet community

needs BACKGROUND The National Synthetic Surfaces Conference & Expo (NSSCE) Conference was held from 3 to 4 June 2014, with industry support from key partners Parks & Leisure Australia (NSW/ ACT), Community Sport Australia and New Zealand Recreation Association. The NSSCE Conference proved a valuable platform for Council staff to network and gain knowledge from specialists in their field. Delegates to the conference enjoyed keynotes from Paul Fairweather - Australian Sports Commission, Vicki Reid - Tennis Australia, Dr Eric Harrison - FIFA, Marc Douglas - International Rugby Board and many more. The expo consisted of 35 companies exhibiting the latest innovations in synthetic surfaces, playgrounds and more. The Innovations Tour closed the event on Thursday 5 June, and featured site visits to Blackman Park, Arlington Reserve, Trinity Grammar and APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC. These sites showed delegates how synthetic surfaces have been implemented successfully. CONSULTATION REQUIREMENTS Community engagement will be undertaken in accordance with Council’s Community Engagement Protocol. SUSTAINABILITY STATEMENT The sustainability implications are of a minor nature and did not warrant a detailed assessment. DETAIL The event brought together industry professionals to discuss the future of sports participation in Australia, synthetic surface standards, asset and program management, and driving participation. The conference consisted of the initial part of the day up until lunch being taken up by plenary sessions. These sessions were attended by all delegates of the conference and included the following


(3)

1. Plenary Session Overview 1.1 Plenary Session 1: The future of sports participation in Australia Setting the scene for the conference - remembering our past, appreciate our present client desires and most importantly understand the community and our audience’s future needs. Packaging our services to provide programs that people really want and understand how building places that is flexible and use technology to meet future needs is critical for our success.

Understanding Australian sport megatrends and market segmentation - meeting the changing needs for sport and driving future product development and service provision for sport, recreation and local government.

Dynamic marketing and branding can maximise the uptake of sport and recreation by our target audiences - how can sport and local government understand what they have to offer so that they can attract and retain members and participants.

1.2 Plenary Session 2: Synthetic surfaces’ new standards will assist in the driving of greater participation on safer surfaces The importance of adopting synthetic sports surface standards provides a quality guarantee for the field purchaser and reduces the risk to then in terms of playing performance, risk of injury, community safety and also the long term sustainability of their investment.

FIFA establishes new standards for Football Turf - 2014/15 - FIFA’s new Recommended Pitch Standards should be in place by the end of the year and will be considering heat, maintenance and improved performance standards which will have a positive impact on the Australian market.

The ‘One Turf Standard’ will maximise use of synthetic sports fields - the International Rugby Board has worked with Association Football (Soccer), Australian Football, Rugby League, Hockey, Gaelic Football and American Football to finalise this new standard.

1.3 Plenary Session 3: Synthetics - The Lessons so Far

Sports Field Capacity Development Program - Investing for the Future -Auckland Council has embarked on a 10 year strategy to provide significant additional sports field playing capacity to meet the needs of the community now and into the future. This includes planned investment in 37 synthetic sports fields.

1.4 Plenary Session 4: Health, Recreation, Entertainment and Sport

Community Recreation and Sport - how sport and recreation centres can grow interest, increase participation numbers and link to sporting pathways.

After lunch the conference delegates were able to choose form three separate stream sessions. These included:


(4)

1. NSSCE Asset Management Stream - this stream included presentations on:

Heat and environment management for Australia; FIFA’s Commitment to address heat in synthetic turf; Designing the fields to meet your needs - challenges and opportunities; Designing over a rubbish tip; The three key issues that affect performance and life expectancy of synthetic surfaces;

and Shockpad use in sports facility development.

2. Driving Participation Stream - this stream included presentations on:

Using innovative technology for planning; How sports can use technologies to grow participation; Driving participation by targeting specific group strategies and programs; Growing sport for children; and Innovative sports programs to increase recreation, fitness and health programs.

3. Program Management Stream - This stream included presentations on:

The local government partnership models; Management learnings and considerations; State sports managing synthetic facilities; Management of synthetic installations; Design considerations; Project Management for Local Government for Sports Surface Installations; Maximising programming encourages greater usage by making it accessible while also

considering a Return on Investment; and Understanding how to price the synthetic field.

During the morning tea, lunch and afternoon tea breaks the delegates had the opportunity to wonder around the expo area and talk to suppliers, consultants and contractors whom are experts in the field of synthetic surface design, construction and maintenance. 2. Key Learnings 2.1 FIFA establishes new standards for Football Turf - FIFA are currently in the process of improving their standards for rating synthetic turf surfaces. They are placing much more emphasis on the heat generated by these surfaces. They are creating a sliding scale from 1 -5 based on the ambient temperatures reached on the surface. Facilities will be graded based on the results of the temperature testing. Friction and movement testing is also being improved with new technologies being introduced and used on players boots, torso and limbs that measures all kinds of movement. 2.2 The “one turf” standard - as the “one turf” standard approaches launch it is clear that the growth of the multisport synthetic surface is gaining momentum. This standard will incorporate agreed levels of performance criteria enabling approved play for many sports. The IRB, AFL, RFL, GAA, FIFA, FIH, NRL, NFL have all agreed on variances between


(5)

individual standards. The advice given is that this should be circulated to Federations in early June for acceptance by the end of this year. 2.3 The Australian experience - lessons learnt from failures and experiences in Australia when procuring, constructing and maintaining synthetic surfaces.

Specifications are much better; Moved to D&C hybrid specifications ; with key performance criteria detailed; Greater emphasis on the Geotech and Civil engineering report; and Greater knowledge on the need for maintenance and should be linked to the hours of

use. 2.4 Research into heat management - a general increase in the average number of hot days per year and the concerns about playing sport in the heat as lead to some significant studies on this subject. One of the adverse affects of a synthetic surface is its ability to create a “heat island” that is not produced in a natural turf field. Dependant on the ambient temperature at the time the temperature of a synthetic field can range between 17.5°C - 86.6°C. The type of infill and shockpad are the main factors that affect the heat range of the surface. Some new technologies developed in infill and shockpad products have been able to aid in reducing the heat produced on a synthetic surface. 3. New Technologies As the evolution of the synthetic turf surface continues so does the development of new technologies in the industry. Most of these new technologies centered around new infill products. 3.1 Hydrochill - this is an evaporative cooling technology that is proven to reduce the heat of the surface up to 50°C.Evaporative cooling uses a liquid, such as water, to absorb energy from a surface. As the turf surface temperature begins to rise, water stored in the Hydrochill evaporates, cooling the surface. As the surface gets hotter, more water is evaporated to prevent a dramatic rise in the surface temperature. Hydrochill is applied as a polymer coating to the rubber infill either before or after the infill has been installed. 3.2 Coloured rubber (EPDM) - produced form a polymer recovered product. It is manufactured with various light coloured options. The purpose of this is to reflect the sunlight off the infill instead of being absorbed as the black rubber does. 3.3 Organic Infill - several types of organic infill are available. They are odorless, non-toxic and significantly cooler for heat absorption and radiant heat. They do require the use of water as the product will turn to dust with the breakdown of the fibres. 4. What Other Councils Are Doing 4.1 Blackman Park - Lane Cove Council

Blackman Park is a 20,000m2 development by Lane Cove Council over a moving rubbish tip. Using 4,000m2 of concrete, 250 supporting pylons ranging in depth from 10m to 28m, this will support a 16 section concrete base for the multi-sports field. These sub-base works cost $5.5 million. Comprising of Australia’s first two IRB Rugby Fields; integrated with two


(6)

Football FIFA 1 Star fields as well as an AFL oval and summer cricket wicket. This project is currently under construction. Total cost of the project is $7.5 million with a new amenities block adding an extra $1 million on top of that.

Blackman Park Layout

Some photos taken on the site visit below:


(7)


(8)

4.2 APIA Leichhardt Tigers FC

Australia’s first full size organic infill on a FIFA 2 Star field, complete with irrigation system. APIA Leichhardt, have invested over $3.5 million into Lambert Park. Supporting the new synthetic surface there are four new dressing rooms, new public toilets, a disabled toilet, a lift, a new bar, a supporters’ shop, a gymnasium, street lighting inside the ground with an upgrade of the of the lights to 500 lux, state of the art irrigation system with six water cannons above ground, 8 new water tanks holding 120,000 litres, new perimeter fencing, a new English-style gate at the front of the ground, shade sail over the paved area near the canteen, a new sound system and the whole ground has been painted.


(9)

4.3 Arlington Reserve - Marrickville City Council A community football (FIFA 1 Star) field that has the latest infill technology and heat reduction yarn. Marrickville Council has worked extensively over the past few years to achieve this field for the local community. The field is still final stage of installation and unfortunately was unable to be visited on the tour.

N O R T H S Y D N E Y C O U N C I L

I:\# Governance Section\Committees & Groups\Registrations\Sport and Recreation Ref Group\140714\SR06 Attachment 1 - Cr Beregi Post Conference Attendance Report.docx

Post Conference Feedback Report Attachments:

Nil CONFERENCE: National Synthetic Surfaces Conference and Expo, June 2014 AUTHOR: Councillor Babour, Councillor Beregi and Councillor Morris This report is prepared in accordance with Clause 4.7.1 of Council’s Mayor and Councillors Facilities and Benefits Policy: After returning from a conference, councillors or a member of council staff accompanying the councillor/s shall provide a written report to Council on the aspects of the conference relevant to Council business and/or the local community. No written report is required for the Annual Conferences of the Local Government Association of NSW. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: We attended the National Synthetic Surfaces Conference and Expo held 3 to 4 June 2014 - we submit this report to Council for review and for consideration by Council. The Conference and associated Expo brought together all the leading providers of synthetic surfaces in Australia as well as some from overseas who are looking to be part of the growing trend towards synthetic surfaces for sporting a recreational purposes. The Conference was organised and chaired by Martin Shepherd, Managing Director, Smart Connection Company - Martin recently presented at a Councillor Briefing on artificial surfaces. This report provides an outline of what was discussed at the conference, implications for North Sydney and recommendations to be considered by Council for adoption. We are happy to provide additional information. Attendance at the conference by Councillors and staff provided a valuable opportunity to hear and learn about the advances in the synthetic surface technologies, what other councils are doing, funding options and the increasing level of support by sporting bodies for synthetic surfaces. Given Council is looking to invest millions of dollars over the next few years on recreational infrastructure such as synthetic surfaces, attendance at this conference was more than worthwhile as it is imperative that Councillors and staff are fully informed when making such decisions. Attendance by Councillors and staff at this conference and others is strongly recommended. REPORT Why install a synthetic surface? The conference looked at the growing trend towards synthetic surfaces and the reasons for its increased take-up. These include:

Post Conference Feedback Report: National Synthetic Surfaces Conference and Expo, June 2014

(2)


• Larger populations in smaller areas increasing the demands on existing playing fields; • Acceptance by the major sporting bodies (FIFA, IRB, NRL) of the need to move

towards synthetic surfaces; • Ability to be used in all weather conditions - very little “down” time; • The needs of the modern family - parents and children playing sport after school, after

work, in the evenings, over the weekend; • Greater participation in sport and recreational activities by older members of the

community; • No more space to build more grounds hence need to use existing space more

effectively and in a multi-use capacity; • Allows sports not currently catered for in some areas to be offered to a greater number

of people; and • Safety - higher standards of safety and accreditation for synthetic surfaces than those

that apply for current ovals. Conference Streams At different times during the conference, the program split into streams focusing on specific areas relating to the use, establishment, funding and experiences of others in relation to synthetic surfaces. These included: Asset Management Stream

- covering concerns/dispelling myths re synthetic surfaces, advances in heat management, designing fields for now and into the future, different models for funding (developer contributions, councils, commercial/community models, sporting group/educational institutional co-investment, borrowing against future revenue), importance of maintenance, shock pad technologies, replacing existing fields with synthetic surfaces, lighting strategies, associated community use buildings and amenities, replacement time frames.

Driving Participation Stream

- covering catering for the whole community, sport in the modern day, increasing participation in sport and recreational activities, increase in women’s sport, safety when exercising outdoors, sporting apps, the benefits of a healthy community, high density living, increasing community support.

Program Management/Procurement and Management Stream

- councils, sporting groups and educational institutions are the three main purchasers of synthetic surfaces - discussion of case studies, managing the installation of a synthetic surface, what’s underneath is the most important, laying the ground work, engineering and design considerations, procurement, upfront and ongoing costs.

Engaging the community, allaying fears/concerns and creating an active participation culture Many people’s perceptions of synthetic surfaces are based on personal experiences from many years ago. These were usually on a hard surface tennis court with sand as an


(3)


infill/overlay. Falling on such a surface resulted in bruises, scratches, deep grazes and burns - synthetic surfaces have come a long way since then. The standards and testing of synthetic surfaces is higher and far more rigorous than that applied to local, suburban fields which in many cases, are just dust bowls with no turf and a baked-mud surface as hard as concrete. Speakers at the conference provided case studies based on their experiences when installing a synthetic surface. Lobby groups opposing the move to a synthetic surface made various claims including the possibility of the following:

• Increased likelihood of injury • Heat generated from the surface • Toxic infill • Smell • Look/aesthetics of a synthetic surface • Cost • Maintenance

The conference addressed each of these issues with facts and examples - some speakers said that many people who opposed a synthetic field didn’t have a meaningful understanding of synthetic surfaces today - they said when introducing synthetic surfaces to a community, comprehensive information addressing all the “fear factors” needed to be prepared together with an FAQ based on queries received by others who have already gone through this process. In one example, the speaker cited an experience in Ellerslie, Auckland NZ where a local school teacher and local parent actively campaigned in the local press against the installation of a synthetic surface - they had their photo in the paper looking unimpressed, expressed their concerns and encouraged others to also oppose the development. Fast forward to now having the synthetic surface installed and operational, the two people previously featured as vocal opponents were now avid supporters. It is this experience, and the experiences of other Councils who have installed synthetic surfaces, that North Sydney Council needs to learn from and use as we move towards installing a synthetic surface at Cammeray and other locations in the local government area (LGA). Funding Models Local Governments have partnered with local clubs, sporting bodies, schools, universities, leisure centres, community hubs and other interested parties to provide and fund the installation of synthetic surfaces for mutually beneficial outcomes. Such partnerships ensure that the surfaces are multi-purpose and supported within the community. Other models have looked at sports academies investing in synthetic fields and then opening them up to community use for an agreed fee for usage. Partnering with schools, universities, sporting clubs and the like allows councils to spread the upfront cost burden and lock in demand when the surface is installed, thereby guaranteeing an initial revenue stream. Incorporating other services such as a community centre/function centre, public utilities, parking, playgrounds and other recreational infrastructure should also be considered. Implications for North Sydney


(4)


North Sydney is way behind the times when it comes to synthetic surfaces. Many of our neighbouring councils already have a synthetic surface playing field operational with more currently under construction. North Sydney doesn’t have one as yet although the conversion to a synthetic surface at Cammeray Oval should be complete by the winter season 2015. The demand on our sporting fields already exceeds supply and this situation is only going to get worse as the population of the North Sydney LGA increases. Grounds are frequently closed due to rain and ground closures can go on for days after rain as the grounds do not recover quickly enough for them to be used once the rain has stopped. This, together with the growing participation in sport and recreational activities across the community, means that Council must ensure that its sport and recreational facilities are multi-use, multi-purpose and able to be used in most weather conditions. Sports such as hockey aren’t played in the North Sydney LGA above a very junior level, as there is not an appropriate playing surface. Many of the issues facing North Sydney in relation to ground usage, location and closures are also faced by other councils, schools, sporting groups and educational institutions. It is widely recognized that synthetic surfaces offer a level of consistency and availability that naturally turfed surfaces cannot. Like North Sydney, many sporting fields in other LGAs are built on land fill which results in poor drainage and substandard surfaces during and after periods of heavy rain, hence the increasing number of grounds that are undergoing the conversion to a synthetic surface. Lane Cove Council are currently installing synthetic fields at Blackman Oval. To allow for further ground subsidence, they are installing a concrete floor and then laying the synthetic surface over the top. This means that although the ground may continue to subside, the concrete slab will effectively act as a roof over the subsidence and ensure the integrity of the synthetic surface remains.

Documents

Sport and Recreation Reference Group - North Sydney Council...The purpose of this report is to provide the Sport and Recreation Reference Group with an ... Understanding Australian