SYNTHETIC ALL WEATHER SPORTS PITCH FOR HMS HERON

Cannon Horticulture has recently completed a negotiated contract to design, supply and install a state-of-the art synthetic sports pitch at HMS Heron, part of the 1,000 acre Royal Naval Air Station near Yeovil in Somerset. Cannon, supply chain partners to Debut Services (South West) Limited, the Regional Prime Contractor for the MoD in the South West delivered the project ahead of schedule and within budget.

The procurement process required a rapid response from Cannon’s horticultural specialists who were able to prepare tailored construction designs and specifications only four weeks after the original request from Debut.

The scope of works included a full size synthetic hockey, football and training pitch for all-year-round use by RNAS personnel in Yeovilton as well as the local community.
The new pitch is a high quality sand-dressed surface on a recycled rubber shock pad, on an engineered base. It has dual-level light switching to provide full floodlights for competitive games and lower light levels for training. The lighting also provides the flexibility to illuminate only half of the pitch for training purposes The pitch is linked to an existing sports pavilion and car park by an illuminated path designed to allow easy access for those with disabilities.

The project was complex as the site was close to areas where Roman remains have been found. This required Cannon to ensure that the area was sensitively excavated to avoid risk to any buried artefacts and to liaise closely with the archaeologist who was on site throughout the excavations.

Cannon Horticulture’s managing director Ray Rushworth said, “This is a prestigious project which is unusual in many ways. We maintained links with the archaeologist during the ‘dig’ phase to ensure that we did not disturb any items of archaeological importance. We also discovered that the site was an old bomb dump and during the early excavation process we unearthed minor munitions that required the evacuation of nearby offices and controlled removal by bomb disposal experts.”

HMS Heron is part of a large multi-role air station, which is home to Royal Navy Lynx helicopters and RN Commando Helicopter Force. It operates over 100 aircraft and is manned by around 3,500 service and civilian personnel. Established over 60 years ago, HMS Heron is the only Royal Navy establishment in the area and has built close links with the community, who will benefit from the new sports facility.

Commodore Chris Palmer, commented 'As commanding officer of the one the largest military establishments in the UK and a keen hockey player, I was surprised to see that it did not have an all weather sports facility. The benefits will be felt at Yeovilton immediately and not only do I expect hockey to flourish once more, I expect to see Yeovilton used as a venue for Royal Navy Representative matches mid-way between Portsmouth, Devonport and Faslane. “

Cannon Horticulture – part of the giant OCS, One Complete Solution, property services support group – specialises in a comprehensive range of exterior and interior landscaping, horticulture and arboriculture services across the UK.

OCS chief executive, Chris Cracknell said, “This is an unusual project which demanded an expert solution. It also reflects our group principles of providing added value and caring for the environment at all times during our work. I congratulate our horticulture team in the South West.”