Installation of hybrid grass at ADO Den Haag in record time

ARTICLE

MARKET & CURRENT AFFAIRS

ARTIFICIAL TURF

Fleur Dil, Friday 21 February 2025

175 sec

We are now the main supplier of natural grass for ADO Den Haag

The new training facility of ADO Den Haag was built in record time in The Hague's Zuiderpark. Under significant time pressure, two and a half hybrid GrassMaster fields and a goalkeeper field were installed, covering a total of 18,000 m², including a complete infrastructure. Additionally, a synthetic turf multi-field was relocated. 'There were less than three months between the first design sketch in April and the project start. That's actually crazy work,' says Maurice Herbert, project manager at AH Vrij Groen, Grond en Infra.

The new training facility of ADO Den Haag in Zuiderpark on natural grass

Five years ago, ADO Den Haag transitioned from synthetic turf to natural grass. AH Vrij played a key role in both the installation and maintenance. With the new training facility in Zuiderpark, the club's long-standing wish to train on natural grass at their trusted location has been fulfilled. 'We are now the main supplier of natural grass for ADO Den Haag,' says Arjan Knottnerus, operational manager at AH Vrij.

Mixing installation

A crucial factor in the project is AH Vrij's new advanced, electrically powered mixing installation, which precisely composes the top layer of the training fields. 'People often underestimate this; they think such a top layer is always fine,' says Knottnerus. 'By making the top layer ourselves, we know exactly what goes into it and can guarantee the quality.' Since the quality of the training fields with a hybrid top layer had to be identical to that of the stadium, the bar was set high. 'The training fields must perform optimally under all weather conditions, be homogeneous and clean, and meet the standards.' The hybrid top layer, containing 2 percent artificial grass fibers, is a special mixture that remains stable, drains water quickly, and withstands intensive use. This results in a field that wears out less quickly and performs better. The composition must be precise: 'Once it is filled with 20 million artificial grass fibers, you cannot easily adjust it. With the mixing installation, you can be sure that the top layer is homogeneous and meets the standard.' This also provides certainty about the quality beforehand.

'Once the field is filled with 20 million artificial grass fibers, you cannot easily change it'

The mixing installation offers many advantages, says Knottnerus. 'Not only does it deliver 100 percent better quality, but it also makes you much more flexible. If the top layer is ready at the facility, you can switch logistics much faster. You also don't have to worry about the weather conditions.' However, transport costs do increase the price. 'Because the top layer is made at AH Vrij's soil bank instead of directly on the field, additional transport movements are required.'

Larger projects

The work on the new complex is among the larger projects in the sports world. 'A project like this is not something you do every year,' says Herbert. It involved much more than just laying the fields. Paving was installed, field lighting and an irrigation system were implemented, all underground infrastructure was addressed, and no less than 2,000 m² of parking space was created. Additionally, due to the expansion of Zuiderpark, the multi-fields of the nearby Hague school were relocated next to the complex. 'We completely dismantled and moved these multi-fields to the new location,' says Herbert. At the request of ADO Den Haag, a four-meter-high fence was installed with a privacy screen. 'That screen was a strict requirement from ADO. A traditional fence was not sufficient, so we had to reinforce the foundations. It was a challenge, but we managed to incorporate it into the schedule.'

'If the top layer is ready at the facility, you can switch logistics much faster'

The demolition of the outdated canteen and dressing rooms was delayed longer than planned. 'One of the buildings houses bats, so we cannot just remove it.' This means that the building can only be demolished once the new canteen is installed, where an alternative habitat for the bats will be created. As a result, the construction of the parking lot must also be phased, leading to significant delays. According to Herbert, the goal of fully delivering the complex by the start of the 2025 season is no longer feasible. However, the training fields are already completed.

Construction team

The preparation of this project within the short timeframe from concept to start was an impressive achievement. The collaboration in a construction team with ADO Den Haag and the municipality of The Hague played a crucial role. 'Thanks to this collaboration, all involved parties could quickly make decisions and take the right steps,' says Herbert. 'We wouldn't have been able to achieve this without the construction team. Fortunately, everything went well. From early July, the players can start training at full capacity.' Knottnerus adds: 'We can be proud that we accomplished this in such a short time.'

The mixing installation is still in daily use. 'We use it for much more than just top layers. It is also ideal for making tree soil, different types of topsoil, and soil for parks.' New top layer projects are also on the horizon. 'Soon, we will be working on two more projects, including one for Ajax, where we will handle both the top layer and the groundwork,' concludes Knottnerus.

This article was originally published on February 21, 2025, on the Fieldmanager website.

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