Although many aspects of our club are moving in the right direction, there is one very visible and prominent exception, our pitch. Having games called off is bad for our supporters and for our coaches and players, who rely on training routines that should not be disrupted. Because the condition of the pitch has caused great aggravation, inconvenience, and expense, I would like to take this opportunity to explain the club’s plans for improvement.
To state the obvious, the recent rains in Perth have been extraordinary. There may be nothing we could have done to keep all of our matches on. Other clubs have also cancelled matches. We do realise, however, that a variety of circumstances may have contributed to the level of disruption and we have not forgotten that we faced similar problems last season, even when weather conditions were not as severe. Thus, we intend to make improvements in each of the areas outlined below.
Covering the pitch
We have no current mechanism in place to prevent rain from soaking the pitch. Tarps that lay on the pitch have been deemed worse than the alternative, they smother the grass, cause disease, and can create pooling in certain areas. Other alternatives have been mentioned, such as inflatable structures and elevated tarps that do not make contact with the grass. Each of these has its own problems, such as failure on windy days and expense. We are actively exploring alternatives.
Quality of the grass and surface
As we have previously announced, after the concert series has concluded in May, we will perform a major overhaul of the pitch. We are considering a variety of changes, such as a new grass variety, pitch make-up, and even a “stitched hybrid pitch.” We have had meetings this week with vendors to discuss these possibilities. Rest assured, we will not be trying the same old thing and hoping for better results.
Drainage
It appears that some of our drainage mechanisms could have performed better over the past two seasons. Consistent pooling in certain areas of the pitch indicates a lack of drainage flow. We will be testing and clearing the drainage system in all areas at the time of the pitch overhaul.
Grow lights and reseeding
As of this week, we are adding a new grow light apparatus (we already have one). This will assist our ability to grow and sustain grass even in the winter months. We have also begun an experiment with a new grass seed that grows in colder conditions. Initial results are positive.
Personnel
Our grounds personnel have made heroic efforts to preserve the playability of our pitch, but to no avail. We do not know if additional man-hours will alleviate the problem but we cannot ignore that possibility. Thus, we are adding an assistant groundsperson to our staff at the earliest opportunity. The advertisement for this position has been approved today and will be posted next week.
As Chairman, I take responsibility for the current condition of the pitch. We were not as proactive as we should have been to attack the deficiencies that we saw last year and earlier this season. Thank you for your understanding and patience as we overcome this challenge.
Finally, on behalf of the entire club, we thank you for your enthusiastic support this season. The rescheduled game in Falkirk next Tuesday will test your resolve even further. Please support Simo and the lads if you are able. After all, there is substantial prize money at stake, money that will be reinvested in the club, including in our pitch improvements.
Adam Webb
Chairman
