Ground Redevelopment Update

With the players reporting back for pre-season next month, the redevelopment project is continuing to progress nicely. Below is an update on the very latest on developments at the St Lawrence Ground in Canterbury:

Construction of the Nackington Road entrance and access road is now complete with all traffic now using this way into the ground. This is because the Old Dover Road entrance is now closed and work to the drive has commenced. This work includes bringing new services on the ground (water; drainage; electric etc).

Work on the Les Ames Stand has commenced with the new hospitality boxes taking shape. Plans for the Les Ames are significant and there is much to be done. This is a comprehensive redevelopment programme and not merely cosmetic. It will look a very smart stand and the facilities are of the highest standard.

Enabling works in preparation for the floodlight installation is nearing completion (see picture). All five of the foundation bases are now complete and the floodlights have started to be constructed. It is expected that the first upright will be in place before the end of this week.

Construction of the players’ dressing rooms is now moving very fast with the roof trusses fitted at the end of last week. Over the coming weeks this area will be enclosed and work will commence on the internal aspects of the dressing rooms.

The steel frame for an extension to the Chiesman pavilion has been delivered and will soon be put in position. The general fit out/decoration works to the existing part of the Chiesman pavilion continue, as well as preparation works for the mechanical and electrical installation.

The annexe stand is nearing completion. It has been repainted and repaired – the roof tiles have been cleaned and where missing replaced. The final piece of work in this area is the media room and this will be completed shortly.

The refurbishment work in the Harris Room (in the Colin Cowdrey building) is complete. Since the completion of this we have started work on the strip-out of the Cornwallis Room. This work includes the installation of new audio visual equipment for conferencing.

The Club’s new website launches later this month and will carry a picture timeline of the redevelopment project.

Picture: Sarah Ansell