Turf

Telstra Dome sheds light on grass issue

Austadiums • Wednesday 6th February 2008

Telstra Dome has installed a $2.2 million lighting rig to improve grass growth at the venue.

The stadium is the first in Australia to take possession of the Stadium Grow Light Concept, which is already in use in Europe and the UK.

The stadium has purchased 15 lighting rigs which generate light and warmth, encouraging active plant growth.

Telstra Dome CEO Ian Collins said the lighting rigs would significantly improve grass growth at the stadium.

"I have been around too long to say this will be the panacea, but it is a very exciting development for us and one that we believe Australian sports fans will be tremendously interested in," Collins said.

The SGLC is expected to help speed up recovery after matches, enabling the stadium to host more events.

Telstra Dome has entered into an agreement with climate change company Carbon Planet to provide carbon offsets for the energy used by the lights.

Collins and arena manager Gavin Darby toured through Europe last year to research the sporting venues that were using the infrastructure.

The SGLC originated in the Netherlands and is now used on the home grounds of English Premier League clubs Liverpool, Tottenham, West Ham and Arsenal.

"The grass at Emirates Stadium where Arsenal play was the best and they put that down to the rigs," Collins said.

The Telstra Dome boss said he expected the idea to catch on at other sporting grounds around the country.

"It will be interesting to see what happens in Australia," Collins said.

"The MCG now has shade problems and I would think they would be very interested to see what happens here."

Melbourne Stadiums Ltd, the company that operates Telstra Dome, has also purchased an analyser that provides up-to-date data on climate conditions.

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Telstra Dome has installed a $2.2 million lighting rig to improve grass growth at the venue.
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