The summer renovation of the pitch at Rodney Parade is underway following the conclusion of the 2021/2022 season for both Dragons Rugby and Newport County.
The annual renovation - in partnership with South Wales Sports ground - is crucial to ensure the pitch is maintained to the high standards set by our award-winning grounds team.
Over the course of the season an organic layer forms from maintaining, preparing and playing on the surface. That will now be removed this week, alongside the top layer of grass using a Koro FTM machine.
The team will then rake and brush the remaining fibres to stand them back up before verti-draining the pitch, which helps alleviate waterlogging and deep aerates the ground to remove compaction.
The level will then be rebuilt through top dressing with sand and re-brushed before applying granular fertiliser. The final stage will be to sew grass seeds back into the pitch using a dimple seeder machine.
The whole process will be complete this week, before grass gradually begins to grow back. This will ensure the Rodney Parade playing surface will be in pristine condition for the commencement of the 2022/2023 season.
Jon Raymond, Rodney Parade Facilities Manager, said: “The success we had last season, winning the EFL League Two pitch of the year, was thanks to the hard work of the grounds team here at Rodney Parade.
“Heading into next season, we want to maintain and exceed that standard and this process is vital in ensuring we can successfully achieve that.
“Our thanks to South Wales Sports Grounds. It’s been great to work with them once again; we have a fantastic relationship and their eye for detail is what makes them great at what they do.”
Our thanks to South Wales Sports Grounds... It’s been great to work with them once again; we have a fantastic relationship and their eye for detail is what makes them great at what they do...
