The building side of the project at the Ashcroft Technology Academy (ATA) in Wandsworth involved a contemporary designed pavilion with Kal-zip aluminium roof and five layer render finish, utilising a colour palette to reflect the school’s colours. Internally, four shower blocks and changing rooms, a breakout area, two further toilet blocks and a disabled toilet were constructed. For security, intruder and fire alarms were fitted along with remote CCTV systems. Externally; turnaround areas, disabled parking, a 10 metre wide access gate and access paths were added to the soft landscaping. All utility works, including storm and foul water sewerage systems, were completed by Agripower.
The academy’s sporting facilities included a training pitch, a ten strip cricket square and full size artificial hockey/football pitch. Main drainage was implemented for the site, which runs through a 120 cubic metre attenuation system and two Hydrobrake chambers to modulate outflow. The artificial pitch installation led to a number of challenges, including pockets of clay and sand strata which caused instability in the sub base. A 300mm layer was stabilised to form a ‘raft’ that met the required tolerances. The pitch was completed with 15mm shock pads, 18mm sand dressed carpet, remote switch floodlights and a 4.8 metre high fence.
The academy’s natural pitch installation delivered yet more challenges to Agripower, including glass and ceramic contamination in the topsoil layer. Stoneburying (twice) followed by a handpicking process resulted in a massive 7.5 tonnes of material being removed. To create an excellent growing medium, around 2,500 tonnes of an approved root zone was imported, spread and levelled to give a 100mm barrier. A ten strip cricket square was installed to Agripower’s design, leaving the academy with an affordable and easy to maintain wicket. A full year’s maintenance programme was included in the project’s budget too.
Agripower has proven with the ATA Wandsworth project that its commitment to service and quality is second to none. A new facet to its business, turnkey solutions allows the company to use initiative and creative problem solving to deliver exceptional results to its clients. For Agripower, turning vision into reality is all in a day’s work and that’s why turnkey will definitely open new doors.
