Sports facility of the future

BUILDING SUSTAINABLE SPORTS FACILITIES WITH POLYTAN

Author Polytan GmbH, DE – 86666 Burgheim, www.polytan.com Photos Sandra Schnuck

On the outskirts of Berlin, Germany, a European pilot project featuring one of the most advanced sports grounds in Brandenburg has come into being: the “sports facility of the future.” Located on the grounds of the SV 1908 GRÜN-WEISS Ahrensfelde (GWA) sports club, the facility combines environmental, social and economic benefits with functional properties and high usage frequency. The flagship project proves that a sports facility can be built and operated in manner that is environmentally friendly, resource-conserving and costeffective. Polytan had a large hand in the project’s success with its sustainable product innovations.

What does this sports field of the future look like? To develop this exemplary sports facility, a group of experts was formed, including representatives from the North-East German Football Association (NOFV), Ahner Landschaftsarchitektur, the Institute for Municipal Sports Development Planning (INSPO), members of the International Association for Sports and Leisure Facilities (IAKS), and various manufacturers. Just as importantly, the project received the support of the Ahrensfelde municipality. Polytan contributed its expertise regarding the sustainability of sports surfaces and artificial turf systems, and professional performance diagnostics.

Sustainable, resource-conserving construction materials The futuristic strategy for the sports facility in Ahrensfelde was based on a holistic view of the facility’s entire life-cycle. Thus, the building materials themselves were considered first, which contain a high proportion (over 50 %) of recycled material and minimise carbon emissions. In addition, care was taken to ensure that the products are sustainable throughout their entire life-cycle. An artificial turf pitch in particular significantly reduces the need for maintenance and associated costs, and can be used intensively all year round.

Artificial turf with an exemplary environmental footprint LigaTurf Cross GTzero from Polytan is the world’s first carbon-neutral artificial turf for football to reach the marketplace. Its production is 100 % climate-neutral without compromising on playing characteristics. This is made possible by a new production process and the use of a sustainably farmed, organically based synthetic material.

The turf is also water-permeable. A drainage mechanism combined with mineral filter systems helps to protect the groundwater from pollutants. No artificial irrigation is necessary – saving Ahrensfelde around 390,000 litres of water every year. There is also no need for fertiliser or weed

killer. The new artificial turf is filled with a mineral infill. LigaTurf Cross GTzero combines smooth and textured filaments, exploiting the advantages of both to create the ideal football pitch. Aesthetically pleasing to the eye and to the touch, and highly functional, the turf features ideal ball-rolling properties, optimal player protection, long-term weather-resistance, and high usage intensity and durability.

The benefits of elastic base layers The base layer provides the necessary protective function for athletes. It is also the perfect example of upcycling. The refurbishment in Ahrensfelde impressively demonstrates how an old elastic base layer can be recycled into a new one by using an advanced processing method. The measurement of its functional properties shows that this base layer delivers optimal DIN/EN-compliant values and meets all the requirements of sports associations.

GRÜN-WEISS Ahrensfelde with a matching running track The 400-metre oval track in bright green is comprised of up to 80 % recycled materials. In addition, the binder used in the production process withdraws carbon from the atmosphere – just like the elastic layer of the artificial turf.

Polytan SMART – digital performance diagnostics Polytan SMART is a digital performance diagnostics system that measures and evaluates athletes’ training and competition data, such as speed, movement sequences, the dynamics of changes in direction, and jump performance. The data can be viewed on a smartphone app. The precisely recorded times and performance diagnostics are suitable for school and professional sports, as well as for ambitious amateur athletes. The technology makes use of magnetic barriers permanently embedded in the running track and the artificial turf combined with small sensors carried directly on the athlete’s body. The barriers are completely invisible under the surface so there are no protruding obstacles and the technology is effectively protected from vandalism.

Taking full responsibility Other essential elements of the sustainable sports facility include an energy-efficient, dimmable LED lighting system, an advanced strategy for sorting and reducing waste, as well as compensatory areas for insects and wild flowers. These natural areas of greenery only need to be mown once or twice a year and encourage biodiversity on the outskirts of Berlin.

Conclusion of the GWA working group: “The sports facility of the future, now” “This collaboration between multiple working groups and the various sports associations has set a dynamic in motion that transcends national borders. Together with the dedicated working group of the North-East German Football Association, the Brandenburg state government and the Berlin senate, we will continue to propagate this idea and incorporate new innovations. Once again, we thank everyone involved for their support. In particular, we owe special thanks to the Brandenburg state government on behalf of the state and district-level sports associations (LSB and KSB), the Ahrensfelde municipality, Ahner, Schmitt and Polytan, and all the sponsors of GWA. We are very grateful to Polytan for making us the first sports facility to be awarded the title ‘Polytan Sports and Innovation Centre’. This partnership will continue to ensure the high quality and further integration of innovations for many years to come,” reads a statement from the GRÜN-WEISS Ahrensfelde sports club.