It sure feels like it's been a long time coming, but finally it seems we'll have an artificial turf (or two!) in Dunedin for Football to take advantage of. You've likely been wondering how it will work, how time will be shared with different sports, and what kind of access you and your club will get. 

Firstly, I just want to say that we are greatful to so many people and organisations for making this project happen. I picked up the baton from Bill Chisholm when I took over in 2015, and before that Des Smith had been driving it on behalf of Otago Rugby. I strongly believe this facility never would have been possible without Dunedin hosting the FIFA U20 World Cup. Our Chairman, Matthew Holdridge, has been key to all of this and he'll surely derserve a cold bevvy on launch day...although that might have to be after a playing appearance. 

Many thanks to Otago Community Trust, Lotteries, Lion Foundation, McMillan Trust, The Highlanders, The NZ Football Foundation, New Zealand Football and FIFA who have provided $3m of funding towards the project. The other $1m has been supplied by the Dunedin City Council - who I want to say have just been amazing to work with and have genuinely embraced this project.

Polytan are running the build using EDR (a Christchurch company) as the principle contractor along with sub-contracting to a number of local companies. We're extremely glad with our choice of Polytan who have delivered on everything they committed to and more. 

So moving on, how will it all work? Here is a summary:

• The facility is currently being built - due to be finished close to the end of March.
• Football South have confirmed a launch date of April 6th, which also happens to be the start of the Winter Football season...stay tuned for more detail around the launch activities over the coming weeks.
• The facility will be owned and operated by the DCC, so any non-Football activity can be booked through them.
• Football South have reached an agreement with the DCC which recognises our contribution to the project through some gauranteed usage times and days. Football South will book all football activity on the facility which includes club, school, social and organised events.
• We'll be distributing hours for training (through some fair-as-possible method yet to be confirmed with clubs) and scheduling as many games as possible on the turf throughout the season. Note that the University Football Club will have more 'club hours' due to having lost it's lit training pitch to the build site. 
• Many time slots will be available at days/times you'll not be used to playing or training (e.g. 8pm on a Friday night) so our members will need to think differently about taking advantage of this facility - there isn't enough space for every team to train and play at your preffered times at the same time. This is a great opportunity for new competitions and formats!
• In many cases teams will be offered the opportunity to play at thier normal time on a grass pitch, or a different day and time on the turfs - if both teams agree then we'll make it happen. 
• For 2019 Football South will absorb the costs of the turf as a special 'thank you' to our members and clubs. As such, there will be no extra costs for clubs to use it in 2019.

I've had a few people ask me about the lack of fencing and security. As I was quoted in the paper saying, ideally the facility would have controlled access and high fencing (for security and to stop balls). However, I'm happy to respect the greenspace of Logan Park and see how it goes. There are measures being taken though - there will be planter boxes, player shelters and bollards around the facility to prevent vehciles driving on there. CCTV will be in place, and there will be good signage about how to take care of the facility. If we do run into trouble I'll be the first one on to Council!

One of the biggest risks is, believe it or not...'flat shoes'. Flat shoes press down the grass and over time ruin the surface - that's why we're worried about foot traffic over Logan Park, especially after big events at the stadium. Mud is the other killer - as it damages the syntheic pile and takes away the rubber fill. If you're on the facility you should be wearing the correct studded sports shoes that are clean, as such spectators are not allowed on the facility. Don't worry though, you can stand outside the turf area and watch, and there will also be a raised embankment on the Union St side of the Football-only marked field. 

So that's it for now on the turf, but keep your eyes peeled for more information on the official launch. 

Thanks again for your support with this project.

Kind Regards

Chris Wright | CEO Football South

Article added: Monday 14 January 2019