The contractor responsible for the delivery of the playing fields at the Orange Regional Sporting Precinct has commenced drainage improvement works.
The works form part of Orange City Council's focus on improving field performance and playability following rainfall.
There are eight playing fields at the centre of the precinct. Four of those fields (1 to 4) are performing as expected and meeting high standards for a great surface. The other four fields (5 to 8) are not meeting that standard in relation to drainage.
Council has set high performance standards the fields need to meet and that is what the contractor is working towards.
The contractor has advised that extra drainage will address issues caused by the sub-base limiting the ability of water to move away from the surface after heavy rainfall. The checks and testing that identified the drainage issues are a standard part of contract management. The works involve installation of 80mm wide slit trenches 1.66 metres apart to a depth of 300mm over the length of the playing fields. At the bottom of each trench a drainage line will be installed and back filled.
The works will focus on fields 5 and 6 as a first stage as they are the poorest performing fields and will be managed first. The works will take approximately two weeks. Once the new drainage work is completed it will be assessed during rain events and irrigation before consideration is given to expanding the treatment. The assessment period is weather dependant. The turf coverage will grow across the slit trenches as the surface matures. Fields 1 to 4 would be ready for use in the coming months if a wet winter closes other fields across the city. Fields 5 to 8 could also be ready for use this winter if there are good growing conditions. The costs of the work will be part of the discussions to finalise the project with the contractor.
The NSW Government has committed $59.5 million and the Australian Government has committed $15 million to the Orange Regional Sporting Precinct project.
Drainage improvement works have commenced
