New Grounds Update

Update – 9^th March 2012

This note is to give you an update of the current developments with the Cobham Sports Association (CSA) grounds developments covering

• Progress to date on Covenham Grounds
• Installation of Memorial Grounds Irrigation works from now to end March 2012
• Plan for Covenham Grounds availability provisionally January 2013

But first, anyone who has been at the Memorial ground recently can be under no illusion as to the necessity and importance of the work on the new grounds. Despite the best efforts of our groundsman, Chris Humber, who has done a fantastic job on our grounds, the pitches are beginning to really show the impact of the amount of sports usage they get.

As you will see below, work is well underway to improve all of our grounds and we have received fantastic support in the form of substantial grants for (a) the grounds development from Sport England and (b) the irrigation projects from the Rugby Football Union (RFU).

So, we now have not one, but two major projects underway;

1.       The transformation of Covenham Grounds into sports fields

2.       The setting up of a new irrigation system for the Memorial Grounds

1. COVENHAM GROUNDS

As far as the Covenham Grounds are concerned, they are now all levelled, de-stoned and fertilised. They have now also had a first seeding as a result of how mild the recent weather has been and we would hope together another, more substantial seeding at the back end of March or early April, but this is, of course, weather dependant.

The Covenham Grounds Irrigation works are now complete. All that remains is for the delivery of the self travelling irrigation devices.

Whilst this work completes the creation of the three new pitches it does not however complete the work required to complete the Covenham Project .We need to build toilets and  storage facilities , fence the grounds , refurbish the floodlights , erect signage and last but not least 3 new sets of goalposts , post protectors and corner flags.. All this costs money and we will be exploring new funding initiatives involving the membership to turn these projects into a reality.

2.    MEMORIAL GROUNDS

The RFU funding allows us to fund not only the irrigation for the Covenham Grounds but also a bore hole and irrigation system for the Memorial Grounds.

The Memorial Grounds Irrigation works have commenced this week in front of the clubhouse and will be completed by the end of March

All work will be done during weekdays and, of course, no exposed trenches will be left. Where trenching has taken place and backfilled the ground may be uneven. As such whilst mini training and youth warm ups should not be significantly affected, the Lacrosse training pitch immediately in front of the clubhouse will compromised. This cannot be avoided if we are to have the irrigation installed for Summer 2012, so, we will be working hard to assess how we can ensure that Lacrosse face a minimum of disruption.

During the next few weeks, it is essential that we are all vigilant in ensuring that no ‘inquisitive’ elements of the club decide to explore the works area – or to put it another way; please take responsibility for keeping your children away from any works areas!!

TIMINGS

Memorial Grounds – If all goes according to plan, we should have properly irrigated pitches on the Memorial Ground for the start of next season – this will make a massive difference to our ability to manage these three pitches.

Covenham Grounds – If the weather and the summer are kind to us, then we are hopeful that we can commence  use of the 3 new pitches in January 2013 and we will plan the calendar for the 12/13 season on this basis. It is possible that the grounds may be ready earlier than this, but we will obviously not open the grounds for sports until they are fully ready. We will update you if this timing changes.

Finally, you will find the answers to some Frequently Asked Questions by clicking here, here, but if you have a question that is not answered here, please don’t hesitate to contact me or any one of the CSA Committee to discuss further.

Thanks for your ongoing support

Steve Robinson

- CSA Land Committee

- email:  steve@xpd.co.uk