The natural grass turf installation has been made possible owing to an experiment previously conducted to grow grass artificially. Carisbrook Stadium Trust had set up a test rig at the car park near Carisbrook.
Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETF) roof was used for the test as it was the same that needed to be installed in Forsyth. After two years, the test revealed positive results and is now suitable to be used in the stadium.
The rig is now being tested to check the turf management techniques that could be used on it and what fertilizers to be used for its maintenance. Large curtains were also placed around the turf to test its reaction in the absence of light to avoid issues that could rise due to low sunlight in winter.
The water content of the rig can also be controlled to obtain a sturdy turf. The grass turf would pose only minor restrictions not allowing a rugby test, a concert and another game within a couple of weeks. The stadium would feature ‘flat slabs’ for the hosting of concerts.
The Forsyth Barr Stadium at University Plaza is also known as Dunedin Stadium, Otago Stadium, Awatea Street Stadium, or New Carisbrook stadium.
