Irrigation to improve turf

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32439, 28 October 1970, Page 21

Irrigation to improve turf

One of the major improvements to the Ashburton A. and P. Association’s grounds is for the most part buried out of sight of patrons. Yet it has contributed substantially to the improvement of the turf and will undoubtedly establish the Ashburton Show Grounds as one of the best grounds in the South Island for show jumping and other horse events. -' The improvement has been effected by a spray irrigation scheme which was installed at the end of last year. A 3in underground pipe runs diagonally for the length of the Show Grounds, from the northwest to the south-east boundaries. Branch lines from the main pipeline extend to all parts of the ground to be spray irrigated, including the main ring. ' Irrigation water is supplied by a well on the grounds. The irrigation scheme has been only one of many major improvements in re-

■ cent years to maintain the . Show Grounds in a high i standard catering for the demands of increasing pat- ■ ronage and exhibits. The association has spent : many thousands of dollars 1 in improvements, and has 1 doubled the capacity of the Show Grounds for livestock and other exhibits in the last 10 or 15 years. Hie pig pavilion was extended by one-third two years ago, and the show is exceeded only by the Canterbury Show Grounds In the province in the number of loose boxes and in other facilities for horses. Complete renewal of the cattle pens is proposed in a programme which began two years ago and is expected to be completed in the next two years. In addition continual maintenance and renovation work is carried out each year, to keep the Show Grounds and the facilities to a high standard for | the district’s biggest event of the year.