Stoke-on-trent sport and physical activity strategy 2009-2016

Schools reorganisation programmeBackground152. STPs are considered by schools to be an attractive facility which raises theprofile of the school in addition to meeting curriculum needs. These pitches canalso be valuable where grass pitches are difficult to manage during the wintermonths. However, STPs require intensive and regular maintenance andmanagement, including replacement ‘carpets’ in about 10 years, and floodlightingif they are to be useful for community use.153. The best established type of STP is sand-based, and this is usually consideredmost likely to meet school needs as it can be used for both football and hockey.However, the newer 3G surface (rubber crumb) is better for football and for rugbytraining, and is much more attractive for community football. There is on-goingdebate about the relative values of the different pitch sizes (full size, training pitchor small size) in relation to sports development and community use. The full sizepitches are the most flexible and are considered to be the most valuable forsports development, as they can allow 11-a-side matches. However, the smallsidedvenues (with pitches designed for 5, 6 or 7-a-side football) are the mostcommercially attractive, particularly to the adult market.154. If STPs, particularly 3G pitches, are to be made available to the community, theywill usually require high intensity management, with on-site staffing during thecommunity use hours. New pitches which will also cater for community use are,therefore, best located where:• There is planned to be on-site intensive management of other sports facilitiesduring community hours;• There is limited catchment overlap with competing facilities (including majorsmall-sided venues).Nortoft Partnerships Ltd <strong>Stoke</strong>-on-Trent Page | 160Sport & Physical Activity Strategy 2009-2016October 2009