School sport facilities in Kusel: The full Polytan programme
At the beginning of the school year 2011/12, the students of the Kusel grammar school awaited a real surprise:
Specialised in outdoor sport surfaces, Polytan was able to complete the renovation of the whole facility in less than two months. From a multi-functional synthetic turf pitch and athletics running track to a synthetic all-weather playing area – the grammar school placed its trust for construction of all surfaces in products from Polytan and Polytan|STI.
Starting at the beginning: Five years ago a new sport hall was built at this school site – the old hall was used continually throughout the building work and was only demolished when the new hall was finished. After this work was complete it was possible to start renovating the outdoors sports facilities. The 40-year-old clay football pitch, which no longer conformed to any standards, and the 100 metre cinder running track were both outdated and no longer offered acceptable conditions for the students. The call for tenders was a real challenge: The grounds were limited but required to be used for as many kinds of ball sport and athletics disciplines as possible. As Dieter Fetzer from the MEGARON architect group remembers, "The requirements for the new facilities were really tricky. The area was too small for a 400 m running track, but we still needed to find a solution for the short and long-distance races in school sport." In addition, a really DIN standard sized football pitch was needed as well as a shot putt, a long-jump pit and a multi-functional pitch. After detailed discussions with the people responsible, Patrick Anschütz from the Polytan Company suggested building a 200-metre-track with a playing field inside it - an unusual suggestion as 200 metre tracks are very uncommon. However, the concept suggested by Polytan was convincing and fulfilled the objective in the call for tenders so that the contract was awarded to Polytan.
The circular track was built with a red Polytan M surface, a material which is regularly used in professional sports stadiums and is also suitable for spiked running shoes. The same Polytan M surface was also used for the 100- metre-long sprint track.
The playing field inside the track was laid with approx. 2.900 square metres of Polytan LigaGrass filled with TPE granulate. The tough and resistant synthetic turf is optimal for football and just as well suited for hockey or other sport activities. In addition, during the renovation, a new multifunctional pitch with a Polytan S all-weather surface was also installed. Through the use of different pitch markings, different kinds of sport such as basketball, volleyball, tennis and handball can be played on the same pitch.
"The special attraction of the 8000 square metre outdoor sports ground is definitely its multi-functionality," states architect Dieter Fetzer. "Both students and teachers are satisfied and since the renovation, intensive sport courses and tests can finally be held under perfect conditions".
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