Transforming a car park into a brand new Multi-Use Games Area

ETC Sports is always delighted to take on a project that makes a real community impact. So when we were asked to transform an Essex car park located at Heybridge Alternative Provision School into a brand new Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) we naturally jumped at the chance. The new facility will give the children who attend the centre an attractive facility to play football, tennis and basketball.

Heybridge Alternative Provision School offers a wide range of services for secondary school children who have learning and behavioural difficulties. Thanks to funding from Essex County Council to make the improvements, this transformation will inspire the youngsters to play sports in a safe enclosed all weather surface area outside. Before the MUGA was built, the children had a grassy pitch on which they could play some sports but capacity was very limited.

Premises Manager Phil Davis says, “The MUGA has made a real difference to the school – we now have more curriculum based PE activities for the children to participate in and they can use the area in all weathers. Previously all we had was the grassy area which didn’t give the children any basketball or tennis opportunities, and obviously got very muddy in wet weather. We are all very pleased with the MUGA.”

Winning the project to construct the MUGA

Having learned that Essex County Council had a strict budget of £20 000 + VAT for creating the MUGA from start to finish, it was necessary for ETC Sports to put together a strong proposal that would come in at the right price, but also provide good workmanship and materials. ETC Sports’ 25 years of experience in creating all-weather surfaces and multi use games areas alongside our black book of trusted suppliers all contributed to a well-considered and well-planned proposal which came in on budget. That equipped us to win the bid and start work on the 28th January 2013.

What kind of MUGA did ETC Sports build?

In response to the brief ETC Sports constructed a Porous Asphalt Multi-Use Games Area. This surface is ideal for private, club and school use as it needs very little maintenance throughout the year and is less slippery after raining. This is down to the porosity of the surface which means it can be played on soon after it has rained, making it an ideal all weather surface.

The area was designed for five-a-side football with two goal recesses built in. A basketball post and backboard were integrated into the sports fencing. We used a double wire panel fencing system supplied by Zaun Fencing. This kind of fencing is a popular choice for multi use games areas for many reasons. It is made from a highly durable material that offers high rebound – almost similar to a hard surface. This allows the ball to bounce back at almost the same angle it strikes the fence. In addition is it ‘graffiti-proof’ and requires little or no maintenance as it not susceptible to rotting or rust.

Once the all weather surface had been laid, it was coated with an acrylic colour coating which prolongs the surface life of the court, and then painted with appropriate line markings in different colours for tennis, football and basketball. The project moved swiftly and smoothly, with all the work completed on 9th April 2013 when the court was colour sprayed.

What the school had to say about the new multi-sport area

On completion Davis has told us: “From planning to production, the construction of the MUGA through ETC Sports was a breeze. I had an initial idea about what it would entail, but I was put at ease when I saw the firm’s examples of finished all weather surfaces, and how the courts would have line markings in various colours to differentiate between each sport.

“Now that the facility is in place it is an absolutely fantastic addition to the Heybridge Centre. It has made a real difference to the day to day lives of the students, enabling them to take part in a much wider range of practical activities within a first class environment.”

Client Details Heybridge Alternative Provision School The Street Heybridge Maldon Essex CM9 4NB Telephone: 01621 856 275 Website: http://www.heybridgeaps.co.uk/

Contract Details Description: Refurbishment of a Multi-Use Games Area with Fencing Contract Value: £20,000.00 Duration of Works: 4weeks Year Completed: 2013

Breathing new life into Tower Hamlets Tennis Courts

When the London Borough of Tower Hamlets decided to make a major investment into their tennis court constructions, choosing the right provider was a vital decision. The whole team at ETC Sports was delighted when we learnt in January 2012 that our bid had been accepted to complete this exciting project to benefit the local and wider East London communities.

We faced a stringent deadline to repair tennis courts across the borough’s Victoria Park and Bethnal Green Garden sites. Come what may, the renovation and tennis court surfacing had to be completed in time for a very special open day in May 2012. But that didn’t faze our skilled technicians. They are only too accustomed to accommodating large scale tennis court construction and renovation work to tight time restrictions.

After doing various bits of maintenance work for Brentwood School, we were asked to tender for the re-surface of their existing all weather pitch. After various discussions we were awarded the contract in Summer 2011 and then began works a few months later on their sports pitch construction.

We had to remove the existing surface and shock pad and then replace both. Using Desso’s Trophy carpet, we finished the works in the Autumn of 2011 and the school were extremely pleased with the works. Upon completion, we returned the following Spring of 2012 to install 8 sets of tennis lines to add a final touch to the sand dressed synthetic hockey pitch.

We have added a few images to the slideshow to see a few pictures of our guys removing the existing surface & shock pad and then the finished product once all the work was completed.

Since carrying out the work, ETC Sports Surfaces Limited are continually working with Brentwood School in maintaining their sports surfaces across the school.

The school are more than happy to provide a reference for the work we did on their football pitch construction so please don’t hesitate to contact us for their contact details.

Brentwood School
Ingrave Road
Brentwood
Essex
CM15 8AS
Website: www.brentwoodschool.co.uk