Construction of two football pitches on a concrete slab using Nidasport® cellular panels
On the rooftop of the IKEA Utrecht parking structure, two synthetic-turf football pitches were built using the Nidasport® system, a lightweight and highly draining honeycomb solution perfectly suited for roof decks.
This system ensures a stable, level and long-lasting playing surface, while providing efficient stormwater management above the concrete slab.
16 000 m2
developed surface
2
football pitches
2013
year of completion
Project Context and Challenges
Enhancing a roof deck by creating a durable sports facility
The parking roof offered a large, unused surface. The project owner aimed to:
- transform this space into a sports facility,
- guarantee a flat, resistant and comfortable playing surface,
- ensure optimal rainwater management on the concrete slab,
- install a lightweight solution to avoid overloading the structure.
The solution needed to be quick to install, minimise permanent loads, and provide excellent performance under synthetic turf.
Objectives Defined by the Project Owner
The specifications required:
- a draining system to prevent water stagnation,
- long-term surface flatness,
- a lightweight roof-compatible solution,
- a shock-absorbing sublayer for improved playing comfort,
- fast and cost-efficient installation.
Solution Implemented with Nidaplast
Nidasport®: draining cellular panels for rooftop sports fields
Nidasport® is an extruded polypropylene honeycomb panel, covered on both sides with a non-woven geotextile.
It provides an ideal support layer for synthetic turf, especially on concrete roof decks.
Technical Characteristics of the Installed Product
Panel dimensions:
2500 x 1200 mm.
Cell height:
28 mm.
Permeability:
≥ 95 %.
Material:
100% recyclable polypropylene
Compression resistance:
1,2 MPa
Temporary water storage:
24 L/m²
Nidasport
These polypropylene honeycomb panels are designed to accommodate a synthetic turf system, with or without an intermediate shock-absorbing layer, for sports field applications. They enable the creation of a draining, flat and porous surface suitable for synthetic turf sports flooring.
View product sheetInstallation Process
The installation was completed in three steps:
1. Preparation
Preparation of the concrete roof slab and installation of rainwater downpipes every 4 m.
Application of a welded 2.5 mm EPDM waterproofing membrane, followed by a protective geotextile and a Nophadrain ND 600 drainage layer.
2. Laying Nidasport panels
Installation of 28 mm Nidasport® panels in a staggered (cross-bond) pattern.
Bonding the panels edge-to-edge with adhesive tape.
3. Finishing
Installation of a 12 mm Re-Bounce® shock pad.
Laying of synthetic turf (Fieldturf Tarkett 42 mm).
Infill of the turf: 0.8/0.6 mm sand (21 kg/m²) + SBR/TPE (6 kg/m²).
Results and Benefits Observed
Level, stable and shock-absorbing playing surface
Efficient drainage: no puddles or water film, field playable even after heavy rain
Improved playing comfort: controlled ball bounce, enhanced safety
