Head Groundsman Rob Bennett has told Dale Player that he’s “very happy” with the progress of the pitch following its overhaul last month.
Contractors moved off site almost four weeks ago, and despite the typically British summer weather, Rob is delighted with how the new playing surface is looking.
“The temperatures have been a bit low for this time of year, but the pitch is coming along better than expected - we can’t ask for any more after four weeks. Drew (Assistant Groundsman) and I are very happy with it," he told Dale Player.
“We’ve got nine days until the first fixture takes place on it – Rochdale Hornets are in action v Hemel Stags - so it is going to be hectic between now and then.
“We’ll be using the sprinklers, as well as hoping for rain, and we’ll double cut it every day. The more you cut it, the more it thickens out, so the stronger it is, which will help it stay together better.”
And Rob explained the importance of carrying out the renovation works at the end of every season.
“If you don’t do it, then the surface starts to break up because you get thatch in it and it won’t be free draining.
“The old thinking was that you could renovate it with a light scarification, but the recommendation is to now take the top off down to between 25mm and 29mm and that’s what we did. It gives a clean surface to seed back into and to put down the fibre sand, allowing us to get filtration back through it.”
The full interview is available to view on Dale Player.