Dorothy Hyman Sports Centre
Building Barnsley’s future with a World-Class 3G Sports Pitch
Partners TigerTurf and McArdle Sport Tec delivered a second artificial grass pitch at Dorothy Hyman Sports Centre, following the success of a challenging reconstruction and extension in 2018 of a derelict sand-dressed pitch creating a new 3G pitch requiring the removal of 2,000 cubic metres of solid rock formation.
Named in honour of Olympic sprinter Dorothy Hyman who won medals in the 1960 and 1964 Olympic Games, the sports centre is managed by Barnsley Premier Leisure (BPL).
A shortfall of 3G pitches were identified in Barnsley’s Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sport Strategy (PPOSS), in fact 61% of local clubs reported to the PPOSS stating they needed additional artificial grass pitches to accommodate the current demand for youth teams, women’s and girls’ football, rugby training, and inclusive community programmes.
McArdle’s commenced groundworks in June 2025 the completed artificial grass pitch is certified to FIFA Quality and World Rugby Regulation 22 standards. TigerTurf’s Rugby 350 carpet was installed over a prefabricated shockpad, ensuring a high-quality performing playing surface.
This project marks our third 3G pitch installation for Barnsley Metropolitan Borough Council, including Parkside Community in Hoyland Common, supporting their vision, ‘The Place of Possibilities,’ by reinforcing long-term community sport opportunities across the borough.
Funding for the project was secured through a combination of S106 allocations from Barnsley MBC, support from Barnsley Premier Leisure, and grants from The Premier League & FA Facilities Fund, delivered by the Football Foundation.
I am the Facility Manager at Dorothy Hyman Sports Centre and have held this role for nine years. I mention this as I worked with McArdle’s on the construction of the first 3G pitch in 2018; when Geoff was the Contracts Manager. The working relationship throughout the first pitch installation was excellent, and I am pleased to say it has been just as positive this time around with the build of our second artificial pitch. Together with site manager Anthony and his team, the installation of the second 3G pitch has progressed seamlessly.
From my perspective, the key to this success has been bringing together the knowledge and skill sets of everyone involved, add a touch of personality combined with an excellent work ethic, and you have a recipe for success. Over the six-month period, the collaboration between McArdle’s, MGAC, BMBC and BPL has resulted in a highly successful project, with very few issues to resolve.
Martin Prest Facility Manager at Dorothy Hyman Sports Centre
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