AERATION, IRRIGATION & DRAINAGE
Hunter Irrigation Makes an Instant Impact at Leigh Sports Village
eith Porter, Grounds
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Manager at Leigh Sports Village in Greater Manchester, is celebrating his 18th year at the helm of one of the UK’ s fastest-developing sporting venues – and with the installation of a new Hunter irrigation system supplied and supported by KAR UK, he’ s now seeing the benefits of precision technology across every blade of grass.
The new system has delivered a game-changing level of control and consistency for Keith and his dedicated six-person grounds team.
Installed by Irrigation Control as part of a major hybrid pitch redevelopment in June last year, the Hunter system includes GT-885 and I-80-ON sprinklers designed to deliver performance, reliability, total top serviceability, and full even coverage of the pitch.
It is combined with the ACC2 controller and Centralus software.
“ We’ d seen the technology at the BTME event in Harrogate and knew it was a step up,” says Keith.“ You can access the heads without digging up the pitch – which is massive on a hybrid surface – and the throw from the heads is brilliant. With the I-80s, even the central sprinklers reach right out to the touchline. We’ ve now got 100 % coverage, and that makes a huge difference.”
Previously, uneven watering created inconsistency in turf condition, with areas occasionally drying out and underperforming. The new system has eradicated that issue.
“ With the old irrigation system, it was hit and miss – now it’ s perfectly even. No dry patches, no burning off.
It’ s not just about aesthetics, it’ s about performance and safety too. Even in windy conditions, the whole playing surface is getting what it needs. It’ s transformed our matchday prep.”
Leigh Sports Village – home to rugby league club Leigh Leopards and Manchester United’ s Women’ s and Development teams – has
38 GroundskeepingJournal. co. uk | September / October 2025