Aggregate hits back of the net for Hearts Football Club with new hybrid pitch

Heart of Midlothian Football Club has upgraded its famed Tynecastle Park in Edinburgh, with a new state-of-the-art hybrid pitch thanks to Aggregate Industries’ drainage stone, sand and rootzone.

Having used a natural grass pitch and without a full pitch replacement in more than 20 years, Hearts wanted to significantly invest in a pitch that would give the first team the best playing surface possible.

Keen to invest in a robust pitch to serve players and fans alike for years to come, Hearts opted for the installation of a new £1m hybrid pitch, combining natural grass with synthetic reinforcing fibres.

The pitch includes a comprehensive piped drainage system, stone layer, base sand and rootzone layer, along with an entirely new irrigation system and upgraded undersoil heating system.

Working with main contractor Carrick Sports Construction and surface specialists STRI, Aggregate Industries was tasked with supplying high-quality drainage stone, sand and rootzone on an incredibly tight schedule.

One of the main challenges included working within a restrictive traffic management plan and driving through narrow roads due to residential, commercial and school buildings surrounding the site.

An investment of this level demands the highest level of performance, hence the Aggregate team at Levenseat Quarry in West Lothian suggesting the use of a bespoke mix of solutions.

This included ProPitch Root Zone, a blend of quality screened topsoil and the firm’s ProPitch 25 medium-fine silica sand, to produce a high quality growing medium, as well as the best aggregates for drainage.

During a four-week construction programme, which began on 10 May 2018, Aggregate delivered 1,800 tonnes of ProPitch Rootzone to create a 100mm top layer, 1,800 tonnes of ProPitch 25 to create a 100mm middle layer and 1,500 tonnes of 2 – 6mm aggregate to create a 100mm bottom layer for drainage.

With precise planning and working collaboratively with all project partners, Aggregate Industries achieved consistent and punctual deliveries throughout the project, helping Hearts creating the most precision-managed pitch in the world, that was on-time and to budget, while receiving glowing customer feedback in the process.

Stewart Aird, MD at Carrick Sports Construction, commented: “We were delighted to work with Aggregate Industries on this project as the team’s technical knowledge coupled with high-quality materials proved second to none.

“I’d also like to thank them for their excellent delivery service – the tight timeframe meant there was no room for delay and our suppliers had to deliver on time while observing a restrictive traffic management plan – and Aggregate Industries managed this well.”

Duncan McCool, sales manager at Aggregate Industries, commented: “As one of the most high-profile pitch construction projects in Scotland, using the best quality materials is essential to creating a hybrid pitch that will truly stand the test of time.

“We are delighted that our bespoke mix of drainage aggregates, sand and rootzone, as well as precisely scheduled deliveries, were able to meet the unique specifications of this ambitious scheme.”

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