Derby Civic Society has awarded a commendation in the category of Best New Build of 2016 to Derbyshire County Cricket Club for the OKI Business & Media Centre.
The new four-storey building, sponsored by global printer brand, OKI Systems UK, was officially opened in September by former Derbyshire and West Indies fast bowler, Michael Holding.
The facility incorporates two floors of office space as well as a state-of-the-art media floor which meet International Cricket Council and England & Wales Cricket Board media requirements.
The building played an integral part in the Club’s successful bid for Derby to be a main broadcast venue at this summer’s ICC Women’s World Cup, which will showcase the city and wider county to a global audience. The Club will host the opening game live on TV on Saturday 24 June.
Derby’s leading insurance broker, Bell & Co, meanwhile, has become the Club’s tenants on the top floor of the new complex. The local insurance brokers, who are already the Club’s Preferred Insurance Partner, moved into the office space in September and provides the Club with a new stream of income for years to come.
Chief Executive, Simon Storey said: “The new state-of the art OKI Business & Media Centre was a major part in the Club’s successful bid to secure the ICC Women’s World Cup in 2017 and become a main broadcast venue.
“While modernising the ground, it also ensure our media facilities meet both ECB and ICC requirements, allowing us the opportunity to hold major fixtures in the future.
“The rental income will also provide a secure source of long-term income, while in the short term it will help pay the interest on the City Council bridging loan.
“Once the loan has been paid off, the rental income will go straight into the cricket budget as we continue our investment both on and off the field.
“We are grateful to the ECB and to Derby City Council for their financial support for our project, allowing us to continue to improve our facilities for both Members, spectators and partners.”
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