70 new pop-up sprinklers mean grass will soon be greener at Texas Oval

Published on 03 February 2025

The grass will soon be greener in Texas thanks to Goondiwindi Regional Council’s upcoming installation of 70 new underground pop-up sprinklers at the Reg Saunders Memorial Oval in the Texas Sports Complex.

The project was identified as one of four high-priority activities in the Texas Sports Complex Master Plan, which was developed last year in consultation with key user groups such as the Texas Terriers Football Club, MIT Jets Junior Rugby and the Texas P-10 State School.

Work is expected to be complete by mid-February, just in time for the start of the busy 2025 rugby league season.

Cr Kym Skinner holds Council’s lifestyle portfolio, including sports, and said the new irrigation system will replace the previous manual travelling irrigation system and dramatically cut down the required man-hours for Council, which means reduced costs and better value for ratepayers.

“This upgrade to a much more efficient system will not only save on labour and costs for Council, but will also allow irrigation to be scheduled overnight and after-hours,” Cr Skinner said. “This will boost water efficiency and allow it to better soak into the soil before the heat of the day causes it to evaporate.

“The Texas community is rightly very proud of the Texas Sports Complex and I’m so pleased to see this investment that will have long-lasting benefit to all the groups who use this facility,” she said.

“It will help maintain optimal playing conditions year-round, allowing us to maintain the facility to the highest standards, even during the hottest months, and ensure our athletes have the best possible environment to train and compete."

The sports oval will receive some additional preparation once the new sprinkler system is installed, including aerating the soil. The entire field will also be top-dressed as part of the new annual maintenance identified in the Texas Master Plan.

“We ask that residents keep off the field until all the work is completed to allow the fastest recovery of the grass,” Cr Skinner said.