January 16, 2026 - Turf Matters

Rhenac Sustainable Technology Set to Upgrade Pitch: Rhenac is proud to announce the installation of its state-of-the-art CLS® (Complete Light Spectrum) mobile grow lighting systems at Leigh Sports Village.

The project represents a significant dedication to sustainability and sporting excellence, ensuring high-quality pitch conditions for all four professional teams using the venue for football and rugby.

Rhenac Sustainable Technology Set to Upgrade Pitch

The contract has been awarded to Turf Lighting Solutions (TLS), part of the Rhenac Group. Based in Standish, Wigan, TLS and their Germany based parent company Rhenac have an outstanding international portfolio, delivering installations for venues including Real Madrid’s Santiago Bernabéu Stadium and FC Schalke 04 in Germany.

Striking the right balance between international expertise and local economic support was essential for the council, who were keen to back a Wigan borough-based business while equipping Leigh Sports Village with technology that would enhance pitch quality and contribute to the borough’s environmental objectives.

The new Rhenac CLS® systems are at the forefront of environmentally friendly turf management. Intelligent sensors and automated controls ensure the right light, colour spectrum and temperature are delivered precisely when required, promoting strong, healthy turf growth while minimising energy consumption. Integrated UV-C technology helps to manage fungus and disease naturally, while built-in heat panels support recovery and growth during colder periods.

Use of the latest CLS LEDs technology results in turf that requires less water and fertiliser, further reducing the environmental impact. With more than 600 TLS rigs operating across 25 countries, the aluminium frames are proven in some of the world’s most demanding sporting environments. Each unit is constructed from lightweight, anti-rust aluminium that is 100% recyclable, combining durability, efficiency and full material recovery at the end of its service life. With all lighting components and spare parts guaranteed to be available for the next ten years, the system offers venues a secure and future-proof investment supported by a strong service network.

Councillor Susan Gambles, cabinet member at Wigan Council and board member of Leigh Sports Village, said: “Leigh Sports Village is home to incredible athletes, champion teams, and has hosted international events, and it is a key community asset for local people. I am delighted that a borough-based business will deliver this upgrade, in line with our community wealth building ambitions to invest in our local economy.”

Leigh Sports Village is now benefitting directly from this proven technology, transitioning from traditional TLS HPS lighting rigs to Rhenac’s advanced LED systems and delivering a 40% reduction in energy, water, and fertiliser use. The upgrade marks a major step forward in aligning with Wigan Council’s sustainability targets and enhancing the long-term performance of the stadium’s playing surfaces.

Keith Porter, Head Groundsman at Leigh Sports Village, explains: “With high-pressure sodium bulbs set to be phased out by 2030 due to their carbon footprint and high running costs, utilising artificial light and heat in photosynthesis has been a game changer. CLS technology offers the additional ability to precisely control conditions for turf needs, so we are looking forward to implementing this in conjunction with Rhenac TLS.

“Thanks to proactive investment, we will significantly reduce our environmental impact, a major win for Leigh Sports Village and our nearby Pennington Flash Nature Reserve. Huge thanks to Wigan Council for their investment.”

Mark Sinnett, Managing Director of TLS, continues: “Leigh Sports Village is a complex, multi-sport venue that also stages major concerts, so it needs a lighting system that’s efficient, adaptable and environmentally responsible.

“With our sensor-driven CLS technology, the turf now receives targeted and efficient treatment, ensuring optimal growth conditions with minimal energy use.

“This precision control, together with innovative LED laminators, delivers significant energy savings while maintaining ideal growing conditions and reducing waste. Combined with independently operated heat panels, the system supports faster, healthier turf recovery all year round. The addition of smaller RML 50 units provides even greater flexibility across the site, ensuring every area performs consistently and aligns perfectly with Wigan Council’s sustainability goals.”

Through this collaboration, Wigan Council and Leigh Sports Village are setting new standards in sustainable sports turf management by bringing global innovation to local sport and supporting Wigan Council’s wider commitment to achieve Carbon Net Zero by 2038.

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Verti-Drain® Helps Sidcup Sports Club Stay Match-Ready: With over two decades of experience in groundsmanship, Jay Berkhauer, Head Groundsperson at Sidcup Sports Club, has seen his fair share of challenging pitches. But since introducing the Redexim Verti-Drain® 7212, Jay says things are looking brighter than ever for the busy multi-sport site.

Sidcup Sports Club is home to thriving rugby, cricket, and tennis sections, with a packed calendar that leaves little downtime for renovations. “It’s constant,” explains Jay. “Rugby runs from September through to the end of April, and then cricket starts the following week. I’ve got a week between the last rugby game and the first cricket match to turn things around.”

Verti-Drain® Helps Sidcup Sports Club Stay Match-Ready

That intense schedule, combined with high footfall and limited budgets, makes every decision crucial. “Every penny counts,” says Jay. “It’s members’ money, so I’ve got to make sure I’m spending it on the right things – the right kit, the right products, the right tools for the job.”

Compaction had become a major issue at Sidcup Sports Club, particularly on the rugby pitches, where play takes place almost every day of the week. “The first team pitch has drainage, but the compaction was so bad that water just sat on the surface,” Jay explains. “The second team pitch also gets a lot of usage as it’s used Monday to Sunday for training and matches – so the compaction rates were through the roof.”

With the old setup, Jay relied on monthly slitting and twice-yearly contractor visits for aeration, but it simply wasn’t enough. “Slitting once a month and bringing in contractors twice a year just wasn’t touching the sides,” he says. “So, when my boss asked what we needed next, I said straight away – I need a Verti-Drain.”

Jay opted for the Redexim Verti-Drain 7212, a compact yet powerful model ideal for lower horsepower tractors and sensitive turf areas. With a working width of 1.6 metres and a maximum depth of 10 inches (25cm), it was the perfect fit for Sidcup’s needs.

“I’ve used Redexim Verti-Drains everywhere I’ve worked,” says Jay. “They’re the best on the market, and they do what they say on the tin. The 7212 fits my tractor perfectly – it’s a quality bit of kit and works really well with what we’ve got here.”

One of the standout features for Jay is the heave action, which sets the Verti-Drain apart from other machines available. “With the Verti-Drain, the tines don’t just go straight in and out – they kick and lift slightly as they move through the soil,” he explains. “That heave action breaks up the compaction beneath the surface. It’s not just punching holes – it’s cracking the ground and waking the subsoil up.”

Owning the Verti-Drain has also given Sidcup Sports Club greater control and cost-efficiency. “Before, we were paying a lot of money twice a year just to aerate the two rugby pitches,” says Jay. “Now, we can do it whenever we want. If I’ve got time in a morning or the conditions are right, I can get out and do it. We’re saving money, getting more flexibility, and improving the pitches at the same time.”

Even after just a few months of use, Jay says the difference is clear. “Before the Verti-Drain, every time it rained, the pitches flooded. It was a constant cycle – it just got worse and worse. Now, the water’s getting down into the drains instead of sitting on the surface, and that’s also helping us keep grass coverage through the entire season.”

And the players have noticed, too. “Some of them have come up to me saying how much better the pitches are – there’s grass on the surface rather than just mud,” says Jay. “The better the pitches are, the more people want to play here. It all feeds back into the club – if the pitches are good, games stay on, the bar stays busy, and the club keeps making money.”

For a one-person grounds team maintaining over 2.5 hectares, time is everything. “The Verti-Drain is so quick over the ground,” says Jay. “I can do the first team pitch in two and a half hours, the whole site comfortably in two days. My old kit would’ve taken all week. It’s optimising my time – I’ve got a lot to do beyond the pitches, so it’s been a game-changer.”

Looking ahead, Jay says the investment in the Redexim Verti-Drain 7212 is already paying off. “It’s helping us become more self-sufficient, save money, and keep the pitches in the best condition possible,” he concludes.

For more information, visit https://www.redexim.com/uk/