The new artificial sportsfield in Newtown, behind Te Whaea: The National Dance and Drama Centre, is getting one step closer to completion with the rolling out of the turf 'carpet' taking place from today.

Forty rolls of turf, each measuring one metre in diameter by four metres long, will be laid out, starting from the middle of the pitch. The specialised lifting equipment can lay up to six rolls a day, including stitching them together.

The turf, which has travelled all the way from Europe via New South Wales where it was stitched, will take about a week to be laid and is expected to be ready for use by the end of April.

Contractor Wilkinson Civil has been on site since December last year and the field will be the city's third park with an artificial surface.

The new full-sized field will be primarily used for community sport, but is being built to specifications so it can potentially be used for FIFA and IRB approved games.

The pitch is likely to supplement adjacent Rugby League Park as a training venue during the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

The Council approved the $1.5 million project in June last year as part of its Long-Term Council Community Plan. If you are interested in a photo opportunity, please contact Project Manager Bruce Moorman on 803 8512.