Rolling out the Astro Carpet

Published on isbi School News dated Tuesday 14th of May 2013

TAUNTON School has taken delivery of some rather large rolls of carpet last week.

The main surface has been delivered for our new £675,000 Astroturf sports pitch, which is due to be completed by September.

The facility in Olympic-style blue with a red surround is being constructed on the site of the old Shale games area adjacent to Greenway Road.

The ground works have been largely completed and the tarmac base and rubber shock pad laid.

The floodlight masts have been erected and the lights are being rigged with the school having opted for taller masts to minimise the light 'splash' to its neighbours.

The next stage is rolling out the surface with work having started this afternoon and carrying on during this week.

The Astroturf scheme, which was approved in November after flood defence work in that area of the school proved successful, has received considerable support from a number of Old Tauntonians.

Among them was the late Colonel Peter Durrant, who left a substantial legacy to the Taunton School Foundation , and the school governors have agreed the floodlit pitch should be named 'The Durrant' in his honour.

Headmaster Dr John Newton said: 'We have long needed an extra playing surface and I know this will be high quality as well as being attractive to look at.'