Saintfield Hockey Club sees light

Saintfield Hockey Club sees light

22 November 2023

USERS of Saintfield Hockey Club’s synthetic pitch at the Demesne will soon be seen in a whole new light.

An influential Newry, Mourne and Down Council Committee has agreed a £165,000 investment to provide ultra-modern LED floodlighting, which club officials and local politicians have enthusiastically welcomed.

The decision to commit to the spend was agreed at last week’s meeting of the local authority’s Strategy, Policy and Resources Committee.

Work to replace the current floodlighting was agreed after an independent consultant’s report revealed it is not up to international standard with the money scheduled to be included in next year’s financial budget.

News the capital investment scheme is to progress has been welcomed by Rowallane councillors Jonny Jackson and Callum Bowsie.

Cllr Jackson has been working extensively with Saintfield Sports Club on the project over the past year and also with the local authority’s assistant director of Leisure and Sport Paul to bring forward a business plan to take this project forward.

He said that in 2017, the former shale surface and surrounding fencing was upgraded, with the existing floodlighting — which is over 25 years old — only receiving minor improvements and which has now reached the end of its lifespan.

The success of the excellent new surface has seen the club more than double its membership of competitive teams.

It is also used by the local running club Saintfield Striders to run activity programmes such as Couch to 5K, with the facility also utilised by  schools for games and other PE activities.

“Concerns regarding floodlighting levels at the pitch, including shadows and corner areas being dimly lit led to officers commissioning so-called lux levels tests, with a recent report confirming that the lighting levels are not suitable for competitive play,” explained Cllr Jackson.

“The upgraded floodlights will ensure lighting levels are fit-for-purpose, meet the needs of users and are compliant from a health and safety perspective.”

Cllr Jackson said the existing lighting will be disconnected and removed  to allow a structural survey on existing masts and foundations to ascertain if they can be reused.

“The budget has allowed for this renewal work and, if required, to install eight new masts, cabling and feeder pillars, with the installation of new LED floodlights resulting in lower running costs compared to the current metal halide lamps.”

Cllr Jackson said the new LED system can be programmed to provide different lighting levels depending on the activity being carried out on the pitch which will result in energy savings.

He has also asked for overhanging tree branches surrounding the perimeter of the pitch to overhang to be pruned and this will be carried out.

“The investment and other improvements will make the sports facility even better and a great place to play hockey,” Cllr Jackson added.

Cllr Bowsie said he was delighted the floodlights are to be upgraded and revealed that along with Cllr Jackson, he met Hockey Club officials at the start of the year and had been lobbying the local authority for the lights to be improved.

He said last February, council officials were asked to test the effectiveness of the current floodlights which were not upgraded when a new synthetic hockey pitch was provided.

“Some months later, so-called LUX readings were taken and revealed the floodlighting was not up to international hockey standards,” Cllr Bowsie revealed.

“This demonstrated a clear case for upgrading the lights which have been in place since I played at The Demesne a child. I am pleased that an external consultant’s report has agreed with the need for upgrading the lights.”

Cllr Bowsie said the existing poles on which the current floodlights are attached may be able to be reused, with just cabling and so-called feeder pillars replaced.

He added: “New LED lighting is proposed and the six figure investment to make this happen is very welcome."