In excess of £700,000 is being spent renovating the facilities at The 3aaa County Ground which will create transformed exclusive areas for Members plus a new state-of-the-art Conference & Events venue in the heart of Derby.
Over the next six months, significant improvements will take place in the pavilion including the construction of a new atrium entrance area housing the club reception, the installation of a lift, new toilets and the creation of an air-conditioned single upper floor room capable of seating 300 people.
The first floor room will include a room divider which will be used on matchdays to allow for a Members’ room as well as a new Executive Suite. Additionally, the existing balcony will be extended to double its present size.
Having provided a home for the players over the last 32 years, the ground floor of the pavilion will also be the subject of further development, although not during this phase.
The players, umpires and cricket staff, however, will be making a move.
The Gateway Centre was built in 2003/4 on the site of the former Grandstand Hotel and provides excellent cricketing facilities.
The original intention ten years ago was for the players to be located in the Gateway Centre, but the final specification didn’t really allow for it.
However, with greater demands being made in respect of facilities, and with the increase in staffing levels throughout the professional game, putting the cricket staff into that building – including the umpires – is logical and ensures players have access to the majority of their facilities under one roof; gym, changing rooms, indoor nets, coaches, analyst etc.
So, 33 years after Barry Wood led his Derbyshire team out of the Cavendish Pavilion, Wayne Madsen will take his side on to the field via a newly-designed bridge from the middle tier of the Gateway onto the Grandstand Terrace.
