ASHES OVAL
Salesian College, Sunbury
March 2018 - July 2019

Nestled on the site of the Salesian College Sunbury campus is the historic Ashes Oval, home of the very first Ashes cricket match between Australia and England in 1877.  With the ovals surface becoming steep and uneven in recent years, the natural turf profile became unsuitable for sports activities and was in dire need of a full reconstruction.
Endeavour Turf Professionals (ETP Turf) were engaged across all facets of the reconstruction project including consultancy, designing works, site investigation, formulation of specifications, construction supervision, quality control and the post-completion facility surface monitoring to ensure the surface remained in optimal condition.
The reconstruction scope of works included the stripping and reshaping of the site, installing a full subsurface drainage network, a new automatic irrigation system, goal post footings, a 250mm sand rootzone layer, a new surrounding concrete channel and a durable warm season surface of Santa ana couch turf.  The central concrete cricket wicket was installed to Cricket Victoria standards and incorporates a synthetic cover for winter use.  With the added benefit of new water-storage tanks under the surface, this facility now also offers innovative and sustainable solutions for the collection, storing and reduction of water usage.
ETP Turf worked closely with Salesian College and in collaboration with other contractors to ensure the preservation of a 180-year old tree at the site which has now become a key feature. With the addition of new retaining walls in conjunction with modifying the oval design to accommodate the location of the tree, ETP Turf were able to facilitate the tree survival which was a delight to the College.
With ongoing agronomic and technical recommendations by ETP Turf, Salesian College are now maximising the longevity of the surface and maintaining optimal playing conditions for all users of this historic and iconic site which has become a true centrepiece and promotional draw card for the College.