Pop Up Power: Supporting Aston Villa to maintain its world-class pitch

Aston Villa Football Club’s success in recent years on the pitch and the regaining of their Premier League status has been matched by their progress redeveloping the famous Villa Park stadium, as the demand for season tickets and matchday tickets continues to grow. The pitch-side electricity supply infrastructure has been upgraded with power units from UK company Pop Up Power Supplies.

The transformation of key areas outside the stadium is set to include demolishing existing buildings and site clearance work in readiness for a new development, which could accommodate a superstore/museum and a possible hotel. Whilst the finer details of this grand project are yet the be decided, work has pressed ahead in upgrading the existing stadium facilities and maintenance infrastructure.

As with all high profile sporting venues with a global audience, the ground staff at Villa Park work tirelessly to keep the pitch in first-call condition. It is a continuous exercise given the relentless match schedule from August to May which can be made easier by having access to electricity supplies right around the pitch perimeter for use in the periods between games. 

The project

Pop Up Power has supplied 16x PUPS01 pop-up, retractable power units which will be used to provide power for the UV lighting needed to promote the growth of grass. They are also to be used for the ongoing maintenance and repair of the pitch. 

The UV lighting spans the width of the pitch and the retractable service power units provide a secure and efficient power supply for all maintenance equipment as and when it is needed.

The half-tonne units are safely submerged out of sight beneath the perimeter of the pitch provided by Hewitt Sports Turf. When the units are required, they can be cleverly raised out of the ground for maintenance equipment and UV lights to be connected. 

A key benefit of the pop up power units is that when they are not in use they are simply lowered back into the ground, and a section of turf is laid over the lid to give a seamless appearance to the pitch area. On matchdays, therefore, the presence of the power units is virtually zero.

The PUPS01 pop up power unit is one of a wide range of outdoor power solutions available from Pop Up Power Supplies. It provides several different retractable service unit options along with in-ground power units, which are accessible via a lockable flip lid, and bollards with integrated electricity and water connection points.

This makes the range suitable for use in all kinds of public spaces from heritage sites, marketplaces, town centres, parks, universities and sports stadia.

High profile

George Parker, of PUPS, comments: “We’ve worked with clients up and down the country, providing efficient, sympathetic utility solutions in busy public areas in high profile locations including Chelsea FC’s Stamford Bridge, Edinburgh Castle and Covent Garden. We are delighted to support the team at Villa Park with these latest pop up units.”

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