This is how the Monumental lawn is today
After six months with machines working practically 24 hours a day, the stadium Antonio Vespucio Liberti, better known as the Monumental, entered its final stage and is close to having its long-awaited re-release.
Taking advantage of the fact that due to the pandemic there would be a long time without an audience in the stands of the different stadiums of Argentine football, the River leadership announced in August the important decision to completely renovate and modernize the playing field of their home, a work that It will cost approximately 200 million pesos.
Wink through the Professional Football League, the intention in Núñez is to re-release his field for the second date of the new tournament. In this way, the ball would roll again officially at the Monumental on the weekend of February 19-21.
The machine that will be used to cook the Monumental lawn
From the club they entrusted Infobae that next week will be key, as the famous fabric to turn the grass into a hybrid system will begin (5 percent will not be natural). This state-of-the-art system designed by the Irish company SIS Grass is similar to that used on playing fields such as Camp Nou From Barcelona, Stamford Bridge from Chelsea, the San Mamés of Athletic Bilbao or Estadio Luzhniki, a scenario that hosted 7 matches during the 2018 World Cup in Russia (the final between France and Croatia, for example).
It is worth noting that the soil, which was lowered by 1.9 meters (a historic discovery was made in the excavations), will have 10 layers, among which stand out a compacted soil, geotextile, waterproof membrane, double layer of gravel of different sizes, sand, peat and hybrid grass.
According to the European company, this second-generation machine “can sew a full-size hybrid soccer field in just 7 days using electricity.” “Our reinforced turf system incorporates state-of-the-art laser systems to guarantee 100% precision by injecting fibers uniformly throughout the field,” they said. Among the technological innovations they have, advanced polyethylene fibers, laser-guided systems, electric machines and patented injection rollers stand out.
The detail of the works of the Monumental
The natural grass system reinforced with fiber injection technology will allow the court to have more hours of use than a traditional one. In addition, the aeration technology will aid root development and lead to the growth of healthier and stronger grass that will have lower maintenance costs. The technique that was used to install the grass at the Monumental is called Row Planting, which is used when the grass has to grow quickly and the grass has to be old and does not have to be new.
A change that will be seen with the naked eye when those led by Marcelo Gallardo return to play is that the athletics track that surrounded the playing field was completely eliminated, which opens the possibility for progress in the creation of new stands, which will increase the capacity of spectators. However, from the club they emphasize that This work has no scheduled date and so far in that sector there will be some canvases with different advertisements.
Another fact to keep in mind is that The Irish company currently has an office within the club to assist and technically provide the progress of the works at all times.
The other changes that were made to the Monumental:
Sewage system:
The new drainage system of the Monumental
As a result of a series of studies to know the composition of the soil, it was decided to change the fiber cement pipes for other PVC pipes that are not covered like the previous ones. A phase of laying pipes in rain drainage gutters was carried out, to then place a geotextile blanket and a waterproof layer.
After ditching the compacted soil base for the installation of the storm drainage and aeration pipes, they were then covered with gravel to improve runoff. A layer of sand and the air conditioning system (heating and cooling) were also placed.
The rain chamber that is being created in one of the corners of the Monumental playing field (Photo: Franco Fafasuli)
As Infobae learned, with the installation of this drainage of the water table, if the water tables rise too high, the pipes receive the water and send it to wells for subsequent extraction.
It is also to highlight the underground temperature control system, which regulates the temperature of the roots to keep the lawn in optimal condition. For example, in intense heat it cools the roots by sending cold water through the pipes, while in intense cold the heating system is activated.
Irrigation system:
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The new irrigation system has 35 sprinklers (Photo: Franco Fafasuli)
It has 35 independently controlled sprinklers with steel shafts, which cover the entire playing field. By means of a variable speed pump mechanism, the number of sprinklers you want can be used. All this is connected to a network, which allows remote monitoring and checking of all irrigation sections, the amount of water used and provides the possibility of detecting any type of failure.
Smart Stadium:
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The WIFI 6 grants a greater capacity to send a greater amount of information than with the previous protocols. This version is designed to support a large number of devices that are connected to the same network. (Photo: Franco Fafasuli)
“River fans will be able to enjoy the latest technology. It will be a ‘smart stadium’ ”, warned President Rodolfo D’Onofrio shortly after the works were announced.
Through an agreement with a Chinese company linked to technology that was a sponsor of River, the leadership sought to improve the experience of fans and soccer fans (the Antonio Vespucio Liberti It is also usually the home of the Argentine national team) with the installation of different devices to have high quality WIFI 6, which are located in the different columns of each tray of the stadium, as well as in the area of the confectionery and the parking lot.
Jorge Brito, vice president of River, told details of the works in the Monumental and the technological changes that will be in the stadium
“Today wifi is a basic need of the people, and consequently of the spectator inside a soccer field. Today the boys, and the not so young, see the goals and the changes in the rival team through the Internet, for example. We used to do it through an AM radio. This has now changed and has become a need that, fortunately, through an agreement with the main Chinese brand, which was previously a sponsor of River, we hope to satisfy, ”Vice President Jorge Brito told Infobae in October.
Remodeling and improvements:
Fans will receive good news when they can attend the Antonio Vespucio Liberti, since the bathrooms in the Belgrano and Centenario grandstands have been renovated again, while those in the Sívori and San Martín sectors are under construction (in the low / medium will add a new one of ladies).
Among the works that were carried out, the placement of porcelain flooring, new ceramics on the walls, new taps and reconditioning of the ceilings and lighting stand out.
There will also be two covered gastronomy stalls in the Centenario, Sívori and Belgrano stands, replacing the old bars that were under stairs.
Those who witness the matches in Centenario Alta will be able to live a better experience, with a clearer visibility of the playing field, since the fences were removed and the forward that was within that sector was removed (something similar happened in the Sívori Alta ).
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