The main contract was awarded to Smiths after an extensive tendering process involving a huge amount of work by the Astro Committee and, in particular, Doug Dodson. For those on our various social media platforms you will have seen that the big dig began on 2nd July. The very heavy waterlogged old pitch has been lifted, the diggers have removed the old sub base, new drainage has been laid and now they are preparing the ground for the new surface. It is a long process but the aim is for handover between 1st and 8th September.
Ultimately we will end up with a new state of the art blue pitch with an orange (rust to be precise) surround and new sub base. The sub base was 20yrs old and its replacement is key to the project in order to provide a world class surface that not provides stability for the future. The old pitch drainage was also found to be completely inadequate and explained why the pitch flooded so regularly.
You will also see a replacement fence which will be much higher than the old one and will create a safe and secure compound for the pitch and its users and protect other TD users from low flying hockey balls. It will also prevent vandalism and misuse of the pitch by unauthorised users. Happily the grandstand will be within the fence and so uninterrupted views of the hockey will be maintained for spectators.
Two new containers will also be put in place at the far end of the grandstand providing more dry storage for our ever increasing kit needs, especially for the goalkeepers. The blue garage building has been demolished to make way for the new compound, and the car park layout close to the clubhouse is being re-configured to allow for dedicated bike racks to encourage players to cycle to their matches or training and to relieve pressure on the car park and on surrounding roads