Polytan LigaTurf Cross and Polytan PolyPlay S in Bressieux near Grenoble

Unusual in Every Aspect

The town of Saint-Siméon-de-Bressieux in the Département Isère is located approximately 40 km from Grenoble and is home to just over 3,000 residents. Among its sights is the former silk weaving school Girodon from 1873, a monument of early industrial culture. Today, it serves as Collège Marcel Mariotte, offering secondary education for young students. In 2022, the sports field at the college was redesigned, with the football field equipped with Polytan LigaTurf Cross, our filled synthetic turf that combines smooth and textured filaments. This surface merges the advantages of both turf types, making it an ideal surface for various ball sports. In Bressieux, it is primarily used for football during physical education classes. The unique aspect of this field is that it does not have the standard dimensions of 105 x 68 meters for a football field, nor does it qualify as a small-scale field. The reason? The land available for construction could not accommodate larger dimensions. As a result, the project planners and designers opted for this specific solution, tailored to the needs of middle school students. It’s worth mentioning that our LigaTurf Cross is now available in several highly eco-friendly versions, including the LigaTurf Cross R, which uses recycled raw materials, and the LigaTurf Cross GT zero, the world’s first carbon-neutral synthetic football turf made from sustainable and bio-based polyethylene derived from non-edible sugarcane. Our flagship product for sustainability and future readiness is LigaTurf Cross GTR, which incorporates both renewable resources and recycled materials. Yet the size of the field is not the only exceptional feature of the Collège Marcel Mariotte sports complex. The track surrounding the field is also quite unique in its design. Out of three lanes, five branch out toward the outer long jump facility, and integrated within the setup is a sprint track—both features maximize flexibility and versatility within the limited space, expanding the range of sports that can be practiced here. However, the most remarkable aspect of the track is its shape, as it is not “round” in the traditional sense. The straights are shortened on opposite ends, and the curves are not perfectly circular but include an added inward swing, giving the track its distinctive appearance. This organic, flowing design adds an element of lightness to the whole facility. It’s safe to say that runners, even during longer races, won’t get bored in Bressieux. This example demonstrates that alternative solutions to conventional designs can spark interest and inspire participation. For the track surface, however, the project planners chose a proven option: our PolyPlay S. This robust, two-layered all-rounder is the perfect choice for school sports and various leisure activities. Its smooth surface provides the ideal base for numerous outdoor applications. As a water-permeable surface, PolyPlay S dries quickly and is usable year-round. Additional benefits include its slip resistance, high durability, and minimal maintenance requirements. The construction method—PolyPlay S is always installed on a base layer—ensures consistently good values for damping and deformation. Bressieux selected Polytan PolyPlay S in Hertha Blue, an intense color that further accentuates the track’s unusual layout.