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Edel TeX Pro brings water-based hockey to Lochem
After years of playing on sand-based pitches, Lochem Hockey Club has taken the next step with a brand-new water-based hockey pitch featuring Edel TeX Pro. The new pitch, delivered by Antea Sport in close cooperation with the foundation managing the sports complex, gives the club a modern playing surface and a solid foundation for the future.
For years, Lochem Hockey Club (LHC) played its matches and training sessions on two sand-based pitches at the Koopsdijk sports park. Meanwhile, more and more clubs in the region had moved to water-based hockey. For LHC, the ambition to make the same transition gradually became stronger.
For the organisation responsible for the sports complex, the investment was also about more than simply replacing a pitch. Long-term planning, reliability and the future development of the sports park were key considerations. The question was therefore not only what would work today, but which solution would provide the club with confidence for many years to come.
CONTACT USChoosing the right hockey surface
The club carefully considered the available options before making its decision. Dry hockey was one of them. With dry hockey developing rapidly and test pitches being installed at various locations, LHC also explored this option in practice.
Ultimately, however, the club decided on a water-based pitch. After experiencing a dry hockey surface at another club, the concept did not yet provide sufficient confidence among the members. For a significant long-term investment, the club wanted a solution with an established track record in hockey.
The choice for water-based hockey also meant that selecting the right artificial turf system was crucial. The new surface needed to deliver the playing characteristics expected from a modern water-based hockey pitch, while providing a reliable foundation for the future.
Engineered for water-based hockey
The new pitch features our Edel TeX Pro, an artificial turf system developed specifically for water-based hockey.
Edel TeX Pro is designed to support the fast, controlled style of play associated with modern water-based hockey. The smooth interaction between ball and surface contributes to a dynamic playing experience and allows players to make the most of the characteristics of a water-based pitch.
For LHC, the new surface represents a clear step forward from its former sand-based pitches. For Edel Grass, the project demonstrates how the right artificial turf system can become part of a complete, carefully engineered pitch solution.
Performance at installation is only part of the equation. For clubs and facility owners, consistency and durability throughout the life of a pitch are equally important. Edel TeX Pro was selected with that long-term perspective in mind.
A collaborative approach from design to installation
Antea Sport delivered the project in a construction team arrangement with the foundation managing the sports complex. This meant that the parties worked together from an early stage, aligning technical choices, planning, budgeting and construction.
This collaborative approach was particularly valuable because the new pitch had to be carefully integrated into the existing sports park. Space was limited, with only around one metre of clearance available on one side of the pitch. At the other side, space had to be reserved for a future clubhouse.
By involving the construction partner early in the process, practical considerations could be addressed during the design phase rather than after the project had already been awarded.
A completely new pitch construction
The project involved more than installing a new artificial turf surface. The complete pitch construction was renewed.
The existing ground was excavated and replaced with a new, lightly draining sand layer. A new drainage system was installed, along with new concrete edging and fencing. A layer of lava was then added to the sub-base before the Edel TeX Pro surface was installed.
Groundworks started in March, with the artificial turf completed in the first week of June. Careful preparation and quick decision-making throughout the project helped the teams maintain momentum and complete the installation within the planned timeframe.
Faster hockey at Lochem Hockey Club
With the new Edel TeX Pro pitch, Lochem Hockey Club (LHC) takes an important step forward. Around 70% of its members are youth players. They now enjoy a faster playing experience than on the former sand-based pitches.
The first training sessions and a practice match have already taken place. Visiting teams also responded positively to the quality of the new surface.
LHC is now gaining experience with water use and maintenance. Each irrigation cycle uses around four cubic metres of water. Rainwater can also remain in the turf for some time after a shower. These experiences help the club optimise its maintenance routine.
The new water-based pitch is a long-term investment in the club’s future. It offers modern playing conditions and supports the development of the next generation of hockey players.