Neighbours not hot on idea to install synthetic grass at a Black Rock school’s sports ground

PLANS to replace a Bayside school’s sport and community oval with fake grass have been given the red card by a group of neighbours.

John Oliver and Kate Smith are unhappy with a Black Rock Primary school proposal to replace their oval with synthetic grass. Picture: Valeriu Campan

PLANS to replace a Bayside school’s sport and community oval with fake grass have been given the red card by a group of neighbours.

Black Rock Primary School has a goal to re-lay their scruffy surface, which is used by students and the wider community, with synthetic turf.

As part of the project the school could also lease the multi-sport pitch to clubs happy to pay for access to high-quality facilities, which are massively in demand in Bayside.

Neighbour and past parent Kate Smith said it “lacked commonsense”.

“I feel sad for the children that will be restricted to playing on concrete and synthetic surfaces,” Ms Smith said.

“I think the general consensus is to replace with grass; for the children, for parents and for the wider community, who all use the ground at various times.”

She said floodlight towers, which are part of the planned upgrade, were also opposed as they would in effect turn a “small school into a private sporting venture”.

John Oliver, another neighbour, said synthetic grass was more likely to lead to injuries to children, such as burns, and it could get too hot to use in summer, the ideal time for kids to be out and about.

Black Rock Primary School principal Sam Tyndall said they had applied for funding for a new synthetic playing surface surrounded by grass, trees and a new playground which “will provide both the best experience for students and be a valuable community asset”.

He said the upgrade would also provide much-needed training and playing facilities for local junior sporting clubs, some of which were turning players away due to a shortage of facilities in the area.