The City Council of Burnaby in Canada is considering investing in a new type of synthetic turf that can be used for hosting both football and hockey.
The idea was pitched following a request by field hockey players to upgrade the two sand-dressed synthetic turf fields to a watered pitch.
Having initially approved investigating the idea, a report concluded that there is “insufficient evidence of demand” to justify building a new water-based field. In 2022, the city explored the idea of building such a field at Burnaby Lake West, complete with water cannons and change rooms. The plan was abandoned because of the estimated CAD 10 million cost, limited use potential and environmental impacts.
The report noted water-based fields can’t be used by sports that require cleats, such as football, and are usually suited only for field hockey, field lacrosse and ultimate frisbee. Also, local safety regulations dictate that, during training sessions, the field cannot be used by another sport, due to safety reasons.
Hybrid turf product
Instead of a water-based field, the council is now being recommended to approve a newer generation “hybrid turf product.” This surface will predominantly be used for football but will have lines for hockey included in the surface.
The idea is remarkable, as the surface for hockey has completely different requirements from a surface for football. Contrary to football, for hockey, a surface is pursued where the ball doesn’t bounce. Also, the different shoe design used for each sport makes it difficult for players to perform on a surface that should also facilitate the other sport.
FIFA, World Rugby and FIH
Although the combination sounds odd, Sportsfields.info understands that sports governing bodies FIFA, World Rugby and FIH are working on quality standards that should allow grassroots football, hockey and rugby all to be played on the same surface. The availability of such surfaces would do away with the need for municipalities to invest in two different types of synthetic turf.
The high capital layout for synthetic turf sports surfaces is viewed as the biggest barrier to increasing the number of good quality and safe sports surfaces.
It is unclear exactly when the sports governing bodies will release the criteria.