In preparation for major sporting events such as the Sports Festival and the UEFA European Under-21 Championship, Eco Garden Construct led the complete replacement of the turf at Cluj Arena—one of Romania’s most prominent stadiums. The project was executed through a public tender initiated by Cluj County Council, with Eco Garden Construct acting as lead contractor in partnership with GREEN CITY CARE, SPORT FIELDS, HOBBIT INTEGRAL, and ELIO INDUSTRIAL.
Specific client requirements
With a tight three-week project timeline, the Cluj Arena turf replacement required precise execution and seamless coordination among multiple teams. The client sought a resilient, competition-grade turf system, capable of withstanding intensive usage while meeting UEFA standards. Eco Garden Construct responded with a solution that combined high-quality materials, advanced heating systems, and expert installation to ensure peak performance under all conditions.
Project highlights
- Complete turf removal and surface preparation: removal and storage of the existing turf in rolls, followed by excavation and drainage of the porous sandy base (approx. 35 cm depth).
- Upgraded heating system: installation of a modern, electric-based de-icing system—featuring over 36 km of heating cables, temperature sensors, thermostats, and six resistance connection boxes placed around the field’s perimeter.
- Substrate rebuilding: laying of a high-performance substrate—20 cm of fine-grain sand (0.01–0.4 mm), 11 cm of coarser sand (0.4–0.8 mm), and a final peat-enriched layer to promote healthy root development.
- System testing: full verification of the heating, drainage, and irrigation systems to ensure optimal functionality post-installation.
- Turf installation: placement of premium-quality roll turf across 7,900 square metres of pitch and an additional 5,400 square metres around the stadium slopes, followed by application of maintenance products and ongoing system calibration.
Turf specifications
The turf was delivered as big-rolls (min. width 0.70 m, length 10–18 m), composed of a certified seed mix—Lolium perenne (30%) and Poa pratensis (70%)—with a dense, mature root system (16–18 months old), suited for heavy traffic and low mowing heights. The substrate featured 80% sand and 20% organic matter, ensuring high drainage, durability, and resistance to wear. The final 5 cm layer included peat enriched with NPK and essential minerals for root health. No touch layer was present, ensuring full root-to-substrate contact.
The result
Delivered on schedule, the new pitch at Cluj Arena meets the highest standards of professional sport. The surface offers superior playability, durability, and sustainability, serving as a benchmark for future stadium turf systems in Romania and beyond.