From old turf to new goals: a community pitch in the Chilean Andes

In Coirón, a rural district in the municipality of Salamanca in Chile’s Coquimbo Region, a modern sports facility has been created that goes far beyond the function of a traditional football pitch. Located right next to the Escuela Básica Coirón, it now serves as a central meeting place for the entire community – for school sports as well as recreational football, training sessions for local teams, and community events.

The facility is part of an initiative to improve quality of life in rural areas. The aim was not only to create a new playing surface, but a space that promotes physical activity, social interaction and community engagement. Its use is correspondingly diverse: children and young people from the school use the pitch for PE lessons, whilst in the afternoons and evenings, recreational teams and residents from Coirón and the surrounding area come together. The pitch therefore serves as both a sporting and social hub.

At the heart of the facility is the infill-free LigaTurf Trion R artificial turf system, designed for high-intensity use. Its filaments contain recycled material, which replaces part of the virgin raw material.

In the perimeter area, the facility uses the FormaTurf Trionstone. This patented component is made from recycled material from end-of-life artificial turf systems. Polytan’s sister company FormaTurf processes old turf surfaces into durable edging products, so the material gets a second use instead of being disposed of.

Technically, the Trionstone impresses with its versatility and functionality. In Coirón, it is used in combination with the FormaTurf clamping strip to secure the artificial turf, while also serving as a robust edging element between the pitch and surrounding areas.

The project combines both systems: LigaTurf Trion R and Trionstone both use recycled materials – in the turf filaments and in the perimeter edging.

The result: a durable sports facility, tailored to the needs of the local community in Coirón, with recycled materials in two key components.

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