Whyalla Secondary College Project | Sunnyside Instant Lawn
Whyalla is positioned at the gateway of the Eyre Peninsula and is surrounded by beautiful beaches. Its unique temperatures see warm summers and cold winters with low rainfall.
The Turf Guy, Jamie Kloeden supplied kikuyu to repair an oval at a school in Whyalla. Replacement of patchy turf was necessary from time to time with the field due to its high use. Jamie said that while the school is renowned for its playing field, discussions around alternative hard wearing turf options with lower water requirements was increasing in the area.
Following this project, Andrew Rowett from Sunnyside Instant Lawn learned of a new school construction in Whyalla. Andrew connected with Sarah Constructions, the contractor for the new school construction to discuss the turfing requirements of the new sports fields. While kikuyu was initially specified for the project, Andrew wanted to highlight the opportunity to utilise a new sports turf variety with a higher drought tolerance – TifTuf Hybrid Bermuda. In selecting the turf for the project, it was also important to consider salinity in the soil and a couch grass like TifTuf would be a better fit in these conditions.
With the help of Lawn Solutions Australia and AusGAP (Australia’s leading turf certification program), drawing from the data and information on the qualities that TifTuf possesses, Andrew was able to inform Terry Kildea, Sarah Constructions Site Manager, that TifTuf was the best option for the new Whyalla Secondary College.
“The extensive research was a huge help in the transition from kikuyu to TifTuf. We were able to offer independent STRI research and show them our experiences on farm which highlighted the winter colour, the low water usage and wearability” Andrew said.
The water saving qualities of TifTuf was the biggest factor in its selection, with Whyalla known as a dry area with low rainfall. Sustainability was of utmost importance. The farm also offered the opportunity to see both kikuyu and TifTuf side by side for comparison, giving Terry Kildea the confidence to move forward with the specification.
Soil testing was carried out by Living Turf at the Sunnyside farm who supplied both the sub grade of soil and the turf to be used. Living Turf was also in full support of the opportunity to use TifTuf on this important project for the community.
Water usage numbers were calculated by Terry Kildea on a recommendation from Sunnyside and Lawn Solutions Australia. This information was shared with the South Australian Education Department, emphasising the benefit of this environmentally sustainable water saving option.
Outside Ideas, Adelaide based landscaping business, won the tender for the landscaping.
Sunnyside worked directly with Sarah Constructions and Outside Ideas throughout the entire turf process.
Meetings with Outside Ideas were arranged during January, offering the chance to share the knowledge about TifTuf and its requirements in preparation.
Sunnyside planted turf for the project in November 2020 ensuring that it was available to meet the project deadlines.
Harvest on the farm
A new Firefly Turf Harvester was ordered and arrived two days prior to the job commencing. The new Firefly allowed for a significant increase in harvesting efficiency on the farm required for this large project. The consistency of the product harvested with this machine was also of the highest standard.
50,000m² TifTuf was installed at the new state-of-the-art secondary school in total across two soccer ovals, one AFL Oval and the building surrounds.
The first of 24 B-Doubles arrived on site on the 17th of May and saw the team of 10 from Outside Ideas lay over 3,600m² a day over 14 days.
To complete the install Sunnyside offered to co-ordinate the freight, unloading and retrieval machinery and provision of a project manager to oversee the install. Sunnyside worked together with both Sarah Constructions and landscaping contractor Outside Ideas on site as the TifTuf arrived and was laid. Data was taken on soil temps, watering, and weather conditions every day of the install showing the root activity and the establishment of the turf during winter.
40,000m was laid at the beginning of winter, a time when turf growth establishment is usually a slow process, however, watching the turf establish in the first 3 weeks Andrew and Terri from Sunnyside were also blown away by the turf development. 16 weeks later and there was a fully established freshly mown sports field.
Winter often turns on some interesting weather, with rain also a factor. The teams saw rain, hail, and shine during the installation, but only experienced a one-day delay across the installation period. Once laid, the turf was rolled three times.
Establishment Period
Sunnyside travelled to Whyalla fortnightly keeping close communication with Outside Ideas and Sarah Constructions to monitor the turf establishment. The established TifTuf at the Whyalla secondary school is that of the “Mercedes- Benz” of turf and has not only created elite surfaces, but a water efficient, sustainable playing surface for the future of the students and Whyalla Secondary School.
Andrew believes that these school ovals will increase Whyalla’s reputation to become one of the best playing surfaces in the state. “The turf is ready to go, the appearance is spectacular,” said Andrew. “It’s ready for the school to open and the action to begin.”
The TifTuf ovals will become the heart of the school with students from years 7 to 12 bringing it to life next year. We expect to watch these ovals continue their current level of performance for years to come. Students will enjoy hours of fun with a multitude of sports being played year-round. The community have engaged with the school to access seasonal sporting events throughout the year also.
Sunnyside shared lawn care, technical data and research with Outside Ideas that has been included in the Hand Over Operations and Maintenance Manual for the Education Department. Outside Ideas are managing the maintenance program until hand over. The oval is currently being regularly maintained at 15mm with a cylinder mower.
Whyalla Secondary School is due to open in 2022.
