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Planning for the construction of a sports field

In the recent procurement code, the principle of result has been incorporated. This is in fact based on the relationship between costs and benefits and considers economic, social and environmental sustainability in all phases of the life cycle of a public work.

During the programming phase, it is essential to conduct an in-depth study to identify the optimal solutions, encouraging discussion between experts and interested parties.

First of all, it is necessary to draw up the needs framework which takes into account what is foreseen in the three-year planning tools. In relation to the type of intervention itself, it reports:

a) the general objectives to be pursued through the implementation of the intervention, with the associated key performance indicators;

b) the requirements, qualitative and quantitative needs of the client, the community or the specific user for whom the intervention is intended, which must be satisfied through the implementation of the intervention itself.

Secondly, the feasibility document of project alternatives (DOCFAP) must be drawn up. It is drawn up in compliance with the contents of the requirements framework, identifies and analyzes the possible design solutions which may concern:

• the hypothesis of non-implementation of the intervention;
• the alternative between the construction of a new construction or the recovery of the existing field, or the reuse of abandoned or urbanized or degraded areas, limiting further land consumption and in the case of new construction, identifies the location of the intervention;

The DOCFAP can also analyze the technical, economic and financial solutions, also in relation to the maintenance aspects of the work to be carried out. The DOCFAP can take into consideration and analyzes all possible options, including, where applicable, the hypothesis of non-implementation of the intervention, in order to allow an effective comparative comparison between the different alternatives.

The DOCFAP also highlights the main impacts of the alternatives analyzed on the territorial, environmental, landscape, cultural and archaeological context, as well as, for interventions on existing works, on the historical, architectural and technical characteristics. To this end, the possibility of carrying out preliminary investigations is envisaged.

Thirdly, it is necessary to draw up the design guidance document, hereinafter "DIP", to be drawn up in coherence with the requirements framework and with the solution identified in the DOCFAP. The DIP indicates the characteristics, requirements and design documents necessary for the definition of each level of the design.

If you have chosen a natural hybrid grass playing field, it is essential to involve a designer expert in Landscape, Environment and Naturalization, so that the project is developed in accordance with the new procurement code and respects environmental requirements. Depending on the predominance of the value of the works, the structural works of a sports center such as changing rooms, stands, internal paths, fencing, lighting, etc. they fall into the building category E.11 "Culture, Social Life, Sports, Worship" which includes "Areas and equipment for outdoor sports, sports fields and simple related services". On the contrary, the works relating to a natural hybrid grass sports field, including drainage systems and irrigation systems serving the green area, are classified in category P.02 "Green interventions and works for recreational or sporting activities", which includes "Green works, both on a small and large scale, where the relevance of the work is predominant compared to those of a construction type."

The needs that become needs in modern society

The creation of an amateur sports center does not focus exclusively on the objective of advancement in the field of competitive sport, but rather highlights the need to create a meeting place for socialization through sporting activity. The main objective is to provide an educational model that complements school education, allowing individuals to learn from coaches how to properly prepare for a match, respect opponents and work as a team. These principles are fundamental for building a fair and non-violent society, in which differences can be resolved through sporting competition.

By participating in sporting events with different communities, children understand that diversity is not a reason for exclusion, but rather a possibility to understand cultural differences and how to broaden their knowledge. Team sports, although they involve a large number of athletes, teach how important leadership and teamwork are for collective success.

Football is widely popular due to its simplicity, but there are many other sports that can be played on a grass field that require different skills, for example rugby, American football, lacrosse, etc. Some of these sports, such as rugby and "flag" or "tag" football, do not involve physical contact, making them ideal for people of different abilities and genders. This makes them particularly suitable for school activities. It is worth remembering that in the United States, for example, every educational institution plays football, and in the United Kingdom, rugby.

These sports require large playing spaces, thus underlining the need for multifunctional sports facilities that guarantee safety and accessibility, to meet the needs of a large number of citizens. It is common for local authorities to offer grants for new sports center projects or the redevelopment of existing ones, but it is important to ask the following question.

Hybrid systems aim to combine benefits and reduce negative effects

Integrating synthetic turf into natural grass has been a goal pursued by the industry for the past 30 years, but it has not always been successful. All hybrid grass systems should meet the expectations of greater resistance and durability which makes the work of maintenance technicians more complex and it must not be forgotten that the presence of the synthetic turf sometimes limits the possibility of mechanical interventions and often makes the surface too solid both for the game and for the root development of the natural grass.

Today there are synthetic carpets with an open support which allows the roots to penetrate and anchor themselves, thus obtaining greater resistance to tearing. The synthetic fibers that protrude onto the surface above the infill protect the plants from intensive use, forming a durable playing surface in which natural grass prevails, also known as "reinforced natural grass", "hybrid grass" or "mixed grass".

In hybrid fields the game takes place on natural grass and the presence of synthetic grass is almost imperceptible because in fact it is less than 5%, therefore, they are equivalent to natural grass fields from every point of view. Shoe studs interact with natural grass but do not raise the turf on hybrid fields. The game is played with greater safety and damage to the natural grass is limited, in particular reducing post-match restoration operations. When the natural grass suffers damage, the synthetic fibers guarantee continuity of play until regrowth, making the groundsman's work quick and easy.

Hybrid grass systems are appreciated by professional players because they make the playing surface more stable by anchoring the grass to the synthetic support, which would otherwise give way during play and form potentially dangerous holes. The player feels more confident and gives the best of himself, allowing spectacular plays.