Polytan Asia Pacific restores Parkes hockey pitch

February 20, 2024

Parkes Shire Council, located in the Central West region of NSW, has advised that Polytan Asia Pacific’s $3 million restoration of the Stephen Davies hockey pitch has delivered a world-class facility, ensuring the town remains a regional hub for the sport and can continue to bid for and host regional, state and national carnivals.

The project was divided into two stages. Stage 1 included the removal of the old hockey pitch surface, installation of new drainage, site preparation and resurfacing of the pitch. Stage 2 included the installation of a new irrigation system to ensure a wet play turf, tanks to buffer the water usage, a new surrounding fence and new LED lighting.

Mayor of Parkes Shire, Neil Westcott, said the economic benefit of the new pitch was significant for the town, noting "events of similar attendance to Hockey One attract over $2 million, and a junior championship injects over $1 million into the Parkes and surrounding visitor economy.

"Bringing Turf 1 to an international playing standard will create opportunities for high-level achievement in the sport from athletes in rural areas, as well as better physical and mental health outcomes for the community as a whole.”

NSW Minister for Agriculture, Regional NSW and Western NSW Tara Moriarty said the upgrades will secure Parkes’ place as a premier hockey destination in regional NSW.

Minister Moriarty shared "Parkes is such a key location for teams playing competition hockey with players of all ages travelling from across the region and the State to play here.

“With these upgraded facilities I’m sure the players can’t wait to get out there and hit, scoop and flick their way towards some winning goals.”

Parkes Shire Council constructed Parkes' first synthetic pitch called the Stephen Davies Field in 1992. Also known as Turf 1, it was constructed at the Cheney-McGlynn Sports Complex to honour local players' participation at that year's Barcelona Olympic Games.

Parkes Shire Council award the Design and Construction of Stephen Davies Hockey Field - Contract 2022059 - to Polytan Asia PTY LTD in September 2022.

This project is joint funded by the NSW Government and Parkes Hockey Inc

For further information about Polytan, click here to visit their entry in the Australasian Leisure Management Supplier Directory.

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24th July 2022 - Polytan awarded contract to upgrade Arafura Stadium surface

30th March 2022 - Polytan named Germany’s ‘brand of the century’

14th February 2022 - Hockey Queensland re-sign Polytan as Official HQ Turf Supplier and preferred turf of hockey across Queensland

1st November 2021 - Polytan all-weather multi-sport turf now open at Queenstown Events Centre

26th October 2021 - International Hockey Federation extends partnership with surfacing supplier Polytan

10th July 2020 - Polytan upgrades Wellington’s Te Whaea sportsfield to international standard

16th April 2020 - Parkes cricket pavilion restored to former Glory

10th February 2020 - Polytan launches cleaning and maintenance services for Australian athletics tracks

19th August 2019 - Polytan passes 50 year operational landmark

11th December 2018 - Polytan transforms Kalinga Stadium India for 2018 Mens Hockey World Cup

25th October 2017 - Polytan brings Concept to Creation Sports Field Symposium to Melbourne

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1st February 2017 - Polytan to present Concept to Creation – Sports Field Symposium

8th April 2016 - Polytan to supply World Cup and Olympic hockey turf

26th June 2015 - Grand Slam and Polytan deliver new synthetic grass courts for Northern Suburbs Tennis Association

12th July 2014 - Polytan owner the Sport Group acquires Team Sports

13th June 2014 - Polytan STI artificial turf surface opens at AIS in Canberra

2nd June 2014 - STI expands to join forces with sister company Polytan

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