University College Cork

Facilities refurbishment project, eight lane athletics track and hockey pitches, Mardyke Sports Centre

University College Cork embarked on a major refurbishment of its outdoor sports facilities at the Mardyke Sports Centre in 2003/2004. This followed a major refurbishment of the Sports Centre building which included the installation of an indoor pool.

The specification for the refurbishment included upgrading the eight lane athletics track to an international standard, and the upgrade of the old sand-filled pitch to incorporate a water-based hockey pitch with the latest sand dressed surface. UCC sought tenders for Consultants to undertake a feasibility study on the upgrade of the outdoor synthetic sports facilities at the Mardyke Sports Centre in Cork. Sports Labs were appointed to undertake this work with a view to taking the project through to the construction phase.

Design, tendering and construction

The feasibility study highlighted a number of problems on-site including settlement of the existing track surface and a lack of engineering materials underlying the pitch. This placed constraints on the budget. The cost plan which was agreed was approximately €1.4m. The design of the facility had to recognise the need for careful control of the budget and, following a competitive tender process, a specialist contractor was appointed to undertake both the track and the pitch upgrade. The track was removed and the levels on-site were improved by overlaying the existing bituminous substrate to bring it up to modern requirements. A sandwich system comprising of an IAAF certificated Conica system was installed.

The unusual feature of this pitch was the presence of the synthetic pitch in the infield of the track. The synthetic pitch was to be a sand dressed pitch with an innovated irrigation system sponsored by Sports Labs, which allows this pitch to sustain the use of football play and yet be an excellent surface for hockey - in fact, playing as a water-based pitch at the weekends when hockey is played competitively.