There’s been a strange pink glow over the eastern suburbs in recent times, that’s been the subject of much chat amongst locals.
While the stratosphere of our planet has been painted in unusual hues over the last few weeks, for months over one particular part of Moore Park, directly above Allianz Stadium, it has been marked by a sky-high swatch of humming magenta.
“We’ve had some very concerned local neighbours, thinking we’ve left the lights on,” says Venues NSW’s Phil Heads, “and the short answer is yes, we have.”
The pink light is the newest development in growing the stuff on which footy is played; the turf.
And for the first time in the southern hemisphere, they have been switched on at Allianz Stadium.
“It was found that the plants only need about 5 per cent of blue light to start and kick off photosynthesis, and red light to come in and help with the growth, which gives you your pink,” says Allianz and SCG Curator Adam Lewis.
The growth they achieve, in terms of turf, is turbocharged.
“We would get half an inch in 48 hours; really good growth with a cool season grass, in the depths of winter,” he said.
“Old school yellow grow lights can chew up a whole lot of power, in comparison with their pink cousins, the technology developed to help care for European football pitches, which spend far more time anchored in the depths of winter conditions.
“So as long as it’s got the fertility in the ground, along with moisture, the light is the next key, and with this new system, once you’ve got the three, the grass loves it,” says Adam.
Along with the racks of pink, the ground is also covered in a thin and porous sheet.
“I notice there’s a bit of a blankie over there too,” I say to Adam.
“Yeah, the kids are all snug underneath the doona here. They look like they’re getting a nice sleep,” he smiles, almost fatherly.
“We put that down to keep the heat in.
“The MCG have just purchased a whole set of these new lights as well.”
Given the traffic of boot studs in big stadia every footy season, let alone inclement weather, being pretty in pink is now pretty good for keeping the sporting calendar ticking over, and for keeping the crowds rolling in.
For the Venues NSW boss, it’s also meant a slightly quieter weekend.
“My phone always rings with club executives wondering about the grass at this time of year, but it hasn’t rung as much as it normally would,” he said.
