Ground Development Update: April 2016

Ahead of the new season at The 3aaa County Ground, the Club are providing Members and supporters with an update on ground development and how matchdays will be managed this summer.

Following the £1.4million pound investment in improving facilities last year, the Club this winter has entered phase two of its overall ground development project with a further investment of £2.2million.

The work, which began in November, will further improve facilities for Members, spectators and all visitors to the ground and ensure that we offer a safe and comfortable environment for all our visitors.

Phase two of our ground development project includes;

• Building a new four-storey Media Centre complex, incorporating two floors of office space as well as a state-of-the-art media floor which will meet ICC and ECB media requirements. This is due to be complete in August.
• Creating an access road and footpath to link the Grandstand with the new Media Centre complex and the Marquee to allow spectators to walk around the ground. This is due to be complete in August, in line with completion of the Media Centre complex.
• Relocating over 1,100 seats from the former Falcons Stand on to a concrete base at the City End of the ground, close to the perimeter fence, incorporating space for disabled spectators and a view behind the bowler’s arm. This will be open for the first Specsavers County Championship fixture starting on Sunday. The seats behind the stand will be removed and re-installed elsewhere in due course. The Club is also planning to reinstate over 600 seats at the Racecourse End of the ground as work on the Media Centre complex is completed.
• Installing a brand new PA system that can be heard in all areas of the ground and 3aaa Pavilion.
• Refurbishing and enlarging the Tea Room to create a larger area for seating with new, more comfortable furniture and a fresh new menu. This will be open for the first Specsavers County Championship fixture starting on Sunday 24 April.
• Creating a new combined Club Shop and Bookshop to provide more choice and longer opening hours. This is situated in a purpose-built unit at the Grandstand side of the 3aaa Pavilion.
• Additional seating on the 3aaa Pavilion balcony including raised benches, provided by gardenbenches.com, to give Members an improved view of the action.
• Installing new car park fencing and entrance gates at the 3aaa Pavilion and Marquee entrances to improve ground security and speed up access.

The majority of this work has been completed in time for the start of our opening Specsavers County Championship fixture against Glamorgan, starting on Sunday 24 April. The biggest project, the new Media Centre complex, is scheduled to be completed in August.

As we continue to improve our facilities, safety and security continues to be a top priority. The result of this is that there will be some changes to the way we manage the ground for the start of the 2016 season.

Access to the Racecourse End of the ground
As the Media Centre complex work continues, the Racecourse End of the ground will be an active building site. That side of the ground will be inaccessible in the first half of the season. The toilets in the Defabs Building will also be closed.  As a result, spectators and visitors will be unable to walk fully around the ground until the Media Centre is completed. The Club will look to open that end of the ground as soon as is practicable, but only when it’s safe and the ground has been re-instated.

Ground Access and Parking
Due to building contractors requiring access to the ground, for the first part of the season, cars will not be able to enter the western side (Scoreboard and Marquee side) of the ground. Drivers can enter via Sir Frank Whittle Road, but will need to access the ground via the 3aaa Pavilion gates. All non-matchday and matchday parking will be available in the 3aaa Pavilion Car Park.

While the Club will always try to accommodate all vehicles visiting the ground, admittance will be on a first come, first served basis. We ask that all visitors try and schedule their arrival at the ground, allowing plenty of time.

All spectators will enter the ground via the walk-in gate at the 3aaa Pavilion. There will be no spectator entrance at the western side of the ground.

Chief Executive, Simon Storey said: “I am convinced that the improvements underway will significantly improve the experience of everyone who visits The 3aaa County Ground. I also know that the ground will be safer, more secure and more comfortable as a result of these improvements.

“On behalf of the Board and all the staff and players at the club, I would like to thank all Members and spectators for their understanding and cooperation, and their continued support of Derbyshire.

“We hope you enjoy your visit to The 3aaa County Ground.”

Derbyshire CCC Membership for 2016 is on sale. Purchase online at derbyshireccc.com, in person at The 3aaa County Ground or by calling 0871 350 1870.

[membershipbuttons]