Retirement village uses new generation synthetic grass
New generation synthetic grass, available from Enduroturf , is an emerging trend within retirement villages and we are not talking about hard tennis court or old ‘astro turf’ style. Synthetic lawn that looks and feels like lush, well maintained couch, and putting greens that are so realistic both visually and technically that even the worlds most famous golfers installing them at their homes.
So why go synthetic when it looks and feels the same as real grass? Because synthetics are virtually maintenance free. They don’t need watering systems or water, mowing or weeding, pesticides or fertilisers. They always look perfectly manicured and end up paying for themselves within a short period of time. They thrive on plenty of use and neglect.
According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics golf has the fourth highest participation of all sport and physical activities, and the highest golf participation rate was in the 55-64 year age group.
Allan Gee - General Manager of The Gardens on Lindfield, a Gold Coast based retirement village recognised the opportunity to attract new residents, delight existing ones and reduce his ongoing maintenance expenses by recently commissioning Enduroturf’s Glen Hannon to install a synthetic lawn and putting green. This was to complement the newly developed outdoor facilities which include a three rink synthetic green gauge surface bowling green.
“All retirement village developers should seriously consider the installation of synthetic putting and bowling greens, this includes new projects or replacement of existing greens. Our Village Green is the ‘hub’ of our central facilities and most certainly forms an integral part of our marketing strategy.
“Cost wise these synthetic greens are more expensive to install than conventional grasses, but that is where the costs cease.
“Our weekly maintenance program (time and money) are only a fraction of that required to maintain the more conventional surfaces, including those requiring sand base. The two major advantages are much lower maintenance costs, this benefiting the residents who are accountable for them, and our greens which are playable all year round,” Mr Gee said.
With the increasing challenges of creating an environment that is high quality and affordable, perhaps the technology of ‘going green’ with synthetic surfacing is one to seriously consider.
22-Dec-2006