Rhodes University’s Astroturf, situated behind the Sports Administration building, is currently receiving an upgrade. Included in the R3-million upgrade is a 38×18 metre practice astro section, which will be situated opposite the entrance to the astro/athletics track.
Rhodes University’s Astroturf, situated behind the Sports Administration building, is currently receiving an upgrade. Included in the R3-million upgrade is a 38×18 metre practice astro section, which will be situated opposite the entrance to the astro/athletics track.
Guy Gordon, sports officer at Rhodes Sports Administration said the practice area will be entirely closed off with netting and will have its own entrance.
The practice session will allow for indoor soccer and cricket during off-seasons. Gordon said while the astro surface has a life span of 10 years, the Rhodes astro was built 13 years ago so it was showing signs of wear and tear.
While the hockey field is being renovated, an irrigation system will also be installed for improved drainage around the astro.
Part of the track will also receive irrigation in an attempt to get the 100 metre section of the track in good condition.
Synthetic Sport Surfaces removed the old astro about two weeks ago and will return to lay down the new astro once Cape Courts and Civils have completed the civil side of the project.
Funding for the renovations and practice section were received from the Lotto fund. While the funding does not include a tartan track, some work will be done on a section of the 100m part of the track, which is in bad shape.
Gordon said there is no need for a tartan track as most of the Athletics Club members are road runners, with not many track athletes at Rhodes.
Gordon said it is hoped that the astro and practice field will be completed by the end of October and then work will commence on the track.
