Ground Redevelopment Update

Before the opening game of the season please see below a detailed progress update on the redevelopment of the St Lawrence Ground.

St Lawrence Ground Operations

Flow of spectators around the ground site will be controlled. All construction areas will be behind fencing and hoardings, no access is permitted to these areas. We will endeavour to open up areas as soon as possible, but appreciate your patience while we conclude works in these spaces.

Hoardings are now in place around the Cardy site offices and administration block area – these are painted green and will be in place for the whole of the 2011 season. There is a road way through the middle of this area to allow flow of traffic.

For the opening games of the season The Drive to the rear of the Chiesman Pavilion will be shut off. This will restrict the flow of pedestrians around the ground. It is hoped that a pathway through this area will be in place very soon. During intervals spectators will be able to walk in front of the Pavilion.

The match control and the PA position is a portacabin (painted green) at the foot of the floodlight (number 2) by the Lime Tree. This will remain the case until the end of the season.

Parking on the ground has been marked out for pre-purchased parking – access to this parking will be from the Old Dover Road – note this is the only traffic that will be allowed into the ground from this direction. Players and match officials will directed to their respective parking areas

The Simon Langton Girls Grammar School will be available for parking on all match days. Postcode for SatNavs is CT1 3EW.

A new ticket collection kiosk has been installed on the Old Dover Road, this will allow control of match day pickups and on the day purchases. Note this will only be in operation on one day matches. For Championship matches tickets will be available from turnstiles.

Turnstiles in Old Dover Road will operate as usual, as will pedestrian entry via Nackington Road. Please note that the Oast Gate will not be open as Bellway complete their works on the the former net area.

Chiesman Pavilion

Work continues with the Club’s interior designer to get the look and feel of the public area of the Pavilion right. Colours and finishes have been matched with the Long Room at Lord’s and this should end up being a very special area. Two way sightscreens are being installed this week and these will allow viewing from within the Pavilion. In addition, new padded seats will be installed in the upper area of the Pavilion.

Ground Staff

There is a new concrete hard standing area to the side of the Les Ames bank of seating. This will be used for roller, blotter etc and will ensure that the gap between the shop and the Woolley Stand is kept as clear as possible.

Scoreboard

The new scoreboard (previously seen at Edgbaston) is in position on the Old Dover Road side of the ground. The scoreboard on top of the Les Ames has been refurbished, looks very smart and will continue to be operated by George and Doreen Davidson.

Stewards’ Hut

A new stewards’ hut is now in place by the Nackington Road entrance.

Dressing Rooms

Work has been focused in recent weeks on the completion of the players’ dressing rooms. The new second floor will accommodate the away team and the Club will now have the whole of the first floor. The roof is very special, using the same tiles as the Pavilion and Annexe and looks fantastic. Inside the home dressing room there is now a physio treatment room, an ice bath and video analysis area.

Annexe Stand

Work on the Annexe Stand is now complete. All areas have been refurbished – including new roofing. The stand will be open for the opening fixture, although the stair to the rear will be a temporary one.

Media Area

Media area is completed. The press now have a large area with new desks installed. This area will have WiFi and hard wired IT for media use.

Les Ames Stand

Work continues on the Les Ames to the original timetable of completion by w/c 13 June. Shepherd Neame have agreed to install eight fast pour taps for rapid dispensing of beer (1.5 secs) this should help considerably on busy match days. Jonesy’s Kitchen will reopen in this wonderful location – including we are promised Mrs Tredwell’s cakes.

Floodlights

Floodlights are installed and have been lifted once. The really do look very special and will be as good as anything in world cricket. They will be aimed during the week commencing 9 May, ready for the first trial use for the University match on 13 May. There will be further practice days ahead of the first proper use.

Cowdrey Conference Centre

Harris, Cornwallis and new seminar rooms are all now structurally finished. These areas now just need curtains and pictures on the walls. David Robertson, the Hon. Curator has been working on his plan for hanging pictures and presenting memorabilia around the ground including these rooms. This will include the restoration and reframing of many pictures.

The Harris Room has new padded seating (with arm rests!) installed. This will be the same as the Pavilion Upper seating.

Frank Woolley Stand

The Frank Woolley stand has not really been touched, except there is a new disabled toilet at the rear.

Seating Areas

All seats have been repaired and cleaned ready for the opening fixture. We have been battling with dust and whilst we have made every effort to make sure all are clean it has been a challenge (you may wish to bring something to wipe your seat down). All seats that have been removed have been stored as spares for future use.

Grass Banks

Grass banks on either side of the ground have been seeded but will be out of bounds. Time needs to be given to the proper establishment of the grass in these areas and will restrict therefore the movement of people. It is hoped that these areas will be able to take foot traffic from June onwards.

Sky Provision

The new concrete area next to the astro pitch will be used as Sky Sports compound for outside broadcast. It will be in use for the first time on Sun 1 May. In addition to this they have now hard wired their cabling – this should mean they are more inclined to cover our fixtures. Sky will be constructing a scaffold tower in front of the Pavilion for the opening televised fixture as they will not be able to use the crane from The Drive.

PA System

An upgraded PA system has been installed and will be operation for the opening fixture. This is for both internal and external areas and covers all of the ground.