Let the games begin

The attention to detail evident throughout the MCG fit-out extends to the custom carpets. Feltex Carpets was contracted to supply carpet to many parts of the building, including public bars and members' areas.

The featured carpet is a 55oz, cut-and-loop Wilton, which was manufactured to the architect's specifications. Grocon project manager Steve Richardson says the Feltex carpet was primarily chosen for its quality and durability.

"We were also impressed with the company's assurances and its ability to deliver," he says. "From both an architectural and a user point of view, this product stood out from the rest."

Wendy McCarrison of Feltex says the fibre is a 100% wool blend of selected New Zealand and Scottish Blackface wool.

"This creates a very durable yarn, with excellent appearance retention," she says.

The carpet, which was woven on a modern Wilton wire machine, is made from a complex combination of cut and loop rows. When combined with coloured stripes running at right angles, the rows give the carpet its distinctive colour and texture.

"This Wilton specification is ideally suited to the MCG application due to its strong construction and its ability to handle the very high traffic volume," McCarrison says. "In addition, with the appropriate maintenance plan, this carpet will continue to look like new year after year."

Simon Carpets Commercial was the carpet contractor for the project. The company installed the carpet over a two-year period, with a staged handover. Director David Robertson says one of the project's greatest challenges was installing a carpet with a square, geometric design in a ring-shaped building.

"Even after two football seasons, we are pleased to see the Wilton carpet laid at the beginning of the project looks as good as the newly laid areas."

Geraldine Maher of Jackson Architecture, who designed and specified the carpets, says the MCG5 architect partnership is also particularly pleased with the finished carpets, which provide the exact look the architects were after.

For more details, contact Feltex Carpets, phone (03) 9316 4200, fax (03) 9314 9446. Or visit the website: www.feltexcommercial.com.

To contact Simon Carpets Commercial, phone (03) 9687 6688, fax (03) 9687 6300. Or visit the website: www.simoncarpets.com.

Story by: Trendsideas