Landscaping - Shirley Golf Course
Flooding no match for Diamond Pro®
When Christchurch City engaged Firth for the Shirley Golf Course
project one of the biggest concerns was the flooding. 18-months
down the track floods have come and gone but the retaining walls
are standing strong and have halted erosion in the flood prone
area.
Firth was initially approached to provide the exposed aggregate
for footpaths and two bridges over the stream slicing through the
golf course. But discussions soon flowed to the retaining walls and
how to protect the stream banks. The council wanted something
aesthetically pleasing with a long life. Natural rocks looked
attractive but had been ruled out because their irregular shapes
create spaces for water to flow into and around and the resulting
movement can cause whirlpools and erosion.
The solution was Diamond Pro® bevelled retaining wall blocks.
Firth was able to show the council (via internet examples) how
similar products had successfully been utilised on golf courses in
the United States. "They wanted to see examples where it had been
used," says Paul Cumberland Firth Customer Development Manager in
Christchurch.
The council decided to go with the Firth product and 2,400 blocks
were installed, topped with 880 caps. All up a 380m stretch of the
stream, which drains into Horseshoe Lake, was laid.
To cater for their client's desire to make the retaining blocks
look like a "natural rock-face", Firth tweaked the colour ratios in
the blocks. Instead of blending 40 percent natural with 60 percent
charcoal the ratios were reversed specially for the project.
The site was developed in two stages with the second stage being
completed 12-months ago. Since then the area has experienced a
number of downpours, with one being so severe that it flooded over
the top of the retaining walls. However when the water receded,
Diamond Pro® had protected the banks and the extensive planting. A
great example of Mother Nature being given a helping hand from
Firth's technical expertise.
