Junction Oval Centre of Excellence

2017
Construction, Showcase

After proudly maintaining one of Victoria’s premier cricketing venues in Junction Oval for eight years, Pitchcraft were excited to be awarded the opportunity to rebuild the entire sporting surface, as well as brand new state of the art 32 wicket natural turf training facility in 2016.

The sporting surfaces constructed by Pitchcraft are to make up an important component of the larger project in the Centre of Excellence for Cricket Victoria. In a theoretical sense, Pitchcraft have approached this project with strong prospects to continue their efforts as maintenance contractor for field, wickets and surrounds. This has involved Pitchcraft management cooperating with Cricket Victoria and head contractor Cockram Constructions to make decisions on the sporting precinct with longevity and all the values of a great cricketing venue in mind.

In a practical sense, the experience of Pitchcraft’s team has again influenced aspects of the sporting infrastructure to achieve the best result from a sporting perspective. Links between maintaining the playing surfaces efficiently and effectively and foreseeing infrastructure requirements that will aid this venue in becoming and remaining first class will be the ‘1 percenters’ that sets this venue above others and has been a driving force for the Pitchcraft team throughout construction. Junction Oval sports field redevelopment has consisted of a sand over gravel (USGA spec) profile with drainage through sub grade and irrigation resting in 100mm gravel layer. Grading was undertaken utilising 3D Total Station technology for all three layers- sub-grade, gravel and sand, allowing for the extremely tight tolerances to be met. Washed Santa Ana couch sod was laid in maxi rolls on top of 15,674m2 of amended sand and 3,310m2 of wicket soil.

Cricket Victoria will open up playing surfaces to cricketers in late 2017 before the precinct is completed in its entirety. So far the precinct is looking to become an outstanding refurbished historic venue.

Read more about Junction Oval here.


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Established in 2009 to offer premium service to the sports turf community, Pitchcraft is an Australian owned and operated company with staff who have been involved in the Turf Industry for over 25 years.