City of Sydney invests in five synthetic sports fields for extended hour usage

February 11, 2021

The City of Sydney is investing in five synthetic sports fields to deliver the growing inner-city population more opportunities to play and train. The aim is to increase the play/train at sports fields by 16,000 hours by 2030 – nearly two years of continuous playing hours.

The five new sports fields - in Zetland, Annandale, Alexandria and Rosebery along with two in Alexandria - have high quality synthetic surfaces that can be used all year round and in all weathers.

City of Sydney Council advise that their study of open spaces, recreation and sport needs highlighted how people playing sport and using sports fields are changing. It also showed the need to increase the capacity of existing sports fields and build new ones to meet growing demand in their local area.

In contrast to the synthetic surface, Council note that turf surfaces can only be used for 20 to 25 hours a week before they deteriorate and bare patches begin to emerge. Overuse requires returfing the pitches or they become unusable.

The synthetic surfaces don’t require the application of fertilisers, herbicides and pesticides that can harm the environment…and they help save water. A FIFA sized grass multipurpose field also needs around seven megalitres of water – the equivalent of three to four Olympic swimming pools of water every year.

Annandale: The City of Sydney is working on the concept design for a synthetic sports field as part of work to expand green spaces and recreational areas at The Crescent in Annandale.

Alexandria: In Alexandria the City of Sydney recently asked locals for their feedback on a proposal to build a FIFA sized synthetic sports field as part of the upgrade of Perry Park in this fast growing neighbourhood.

Alexandria: The area will gain a second synthetic sports field when the NSW Government’s redevelopment of Alexandria Park Community School is complete in 2022. This multipurpose field will be a shared facility managed jointly by the City of Sydney and the school, used by students and staff during school hours and by residents the rest of the time.

Rosebery: The City of Sydney are also working on plans to upgrade the sports fields to synthetic grass at Turruwul Park in Rosebery.

Zetland: In February the City of Sydney opened a new multipurpose synthetic sports field in Gunyama Park in Zetland along with an aquatic centre and other fitness facilities.

Images: The new synthetic field at the Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre (top, credit/ Chris Southwood/City of Sydney) and artist’s impression of the proposed synthetic field at Perry Park (below, credit: City of Sydney).

2nd February 2021 - Sydney’s most expensive aquatic centre gets official opening

31st January 2021 - Installation completed on Arndell Park’s FIFA 1 Star Rated synthetic surface

21st August 2020 - Sydney’s Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre on target for end of year completion

7th July 2020 - Parramatta Council unveils its new synthetic sports field at Rydalmere Park

30th May 2020 - New oval and synthetic running track nears completion at Ewing Park in Bendigo

29th January 2020 - New Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre to be heated by cogeneration system

22nd January 2020 - Margaret River Hockey Club set to receive new synthetic turf half-pitch with lighting

17th December 2019 - New synthetic surface benefits athletes in Geelong

10th December 2019 - Synthetic Grass and Rubber Surfaces launches scheme to recycle old playground rubber surfaces

5th December 2019 - Australian Synthetic Sports Surfaces Discussion Group launched on LinkedIn

2nd December 2019 - Smart Connection Consultancy releases updated guidance for Synthetic Sports Surfaces

31st October 2019 - City of Sydney to add artificial turf surfaces at three sports fields

29th August 2019 - Sydney’s Northern Beaches Council opens latest artificial turf development

21st May 2019 - Gunyama Park Aquatic and Recreation Centre budget rises to almost $85 million

15th August 2018 - Port Adelaide athletes benefit from new synthetic sprint track

13th July 2018 - Smart Connection Consultancy releases world leading guidance for synthetic sports surfaces

11th April 2018 - Sydney’s Northern Beaches Council opens new synthetic football field

10th April 2018 - Increasing use of synthetic turf in indoor training areas

24th January 2018 - Sydney Swans put artificial turf to the test in pre-season training

7th June 2017 - Rockdale City Suns’ Bicentennial Park to get first synthetic field in Bayside Council area

18th January 2017 - New guide collates latest research on rubber infill for synthetic sports fields

9th December 2016 - ASTM International standard for artificial turf infill

8th December 2016 - Multi-purpose synthetic field opens at Greater Shepparton Sports Precinct

8th September 2016 - Revolutionary stabilisation method for artificial turf and hybrid fields set for Australian launch

Asking a small favour
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

The news we publish at www.ausleisure.com.au is independent, credible (we hope) and free for you to access, with no pay walls and no annoying pop-up ads.

However, as an independent publisher, can we ask for you to support us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine - if you don't already do so.

Published bi-monthly since 1997, the printed Australasian Leisure Management differs from this website in that it publishes longer, in-depth and analytical features covering aquatics, attractions, entertainment, events, fitness, parks, recreation, sport, tourism and venues management.

Subscriptions cost just $90 a year.

Click here to subscribe.