School Oval Update

04-June-2021

Oval reconstruction

This week we received notification that our new synthetic oval and outdoor space is going ahead. The process has been a long and detailed one and our Evaluation Panel, Department representatives, Victorian School Building Authority team members and expert consultants have been instrumental in helping this become a reality. If the current restrictions permit, we are hopeful of commencing the construction on June 15.

Our current, and previous, School Councils have been extremely diligent, methodical and supportive of this project and I am grateful and very appreciative of their support and understanding throughout this process.

In late March, after waiting more than 12 months for VSBA approval, we asked 4 companies to engage in the tendering process (Barefoot Landscaping, Gecko Surfacing, Grassports Australia, and Tiger Turf) to submit responses by April 25. Each tenderer received the soil investigation report and soil contamination report that had been commissioned. All tenderers visited Edithvale Primary School to have a look at the oval ground over the Easter School Holidays. Each was walked around the site and we answered any and all questions they had.

A Tender Evaluation Panel (TEP) of 9 was formed. This included a community member who is the Deputy Director of sports facilities at Monash University to provide technical advice on synthetic surface construction. This person has an intimate working knowledge of synthetic surfaces, the processes and pitfalls to be wary of and a history of delivering successful outcomes for the University.

It was determined that Grassports Australia with their reputation, history of excellence in this field, quality of service and product were superior to the other companies who tendered. It was the opinion of the entire TEP that the synthetic grass being proposed by Grassports is of a more superior quality than that proposed by the other tenderers and that their response included a superior maintenance regime.

The construction will take about 8-10 weeks and will cause some disruption for our students and the space they have to play in. The end result will, I am sure, be worth it. Our student body has been very patient throughout this process and they are very excited at the prospect of having a brand new space to enjoy. A proposed version of what it might look like:

We asked the Grassports team to provide an overview of the project via a brief Q and A below, which we hope answers questions you may have.

 Edithvale Primary Oval Q and A