Well, in 150 days – less than the length of a cricket season – the first phase of ground development has been completed. And make no mistake, this is a significant step forward for Derbyshire.
In the space of just five months the Club has seen the transformation of the two principal buildings on the ground.
We now have tremendous first class cricket accommodation in the Elite Performance Centre, known formerly as the Gateway Centre, and a Pavilion – specifically the entrance and first floor – which is simply unrecognisable from its former self, offering high class spectator facilities for Members and a Conference & Events venue for the 300-plus days when there is no cricket at The 3aaa County Ground.
Crucially, the project has not left Derbyshire with any debt, as the funds used had been ring-fenced for ground development and there has therefore been no impact on the cricket side, either.
The Elite Performance Centre is now a self-contained cricket centre with exclusive parking to the rear and new facilities for the umpires, physiotherapists and analysts, plus outstanding changing, dining and associated facilities for the players. The players also have a private area on the Grandstand Terrace from where they will access the pitch.
The Pavilion entrance is brand new and houses a reception, toilets and lift to the first floor. The first floor – which can also still be accessed by stairs – has been converted into one single room with air conditioning, new suspended ceiling and lighting, new carpets and doors, plus brand new sliding glass doors to a new wooden and glass balcony.
On matchdays, the room will be split into two by a specially-built room divider, affording facilities for Members and Executive Members. For those requiring a first class Conference & Events venue, we now have a 300-seater room finished to the highest quality.
Outside, the area between the Elite Performance Centre and Pavilion has been laid to tarmac and the Old Indoor School and Pavilion Office Block have been demolished. These buildings were essential in their time, and many legends of our Club passed through their doors, but the time was right to take these buildings down and create a much larger car park to service the new Pavilion facilities.
Members will get their first look at the new Pavilion at the Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 25 March 2015, but rest assured that ground development doesn’t stop here.
The Phase 2 project – a three-storey Media Centre Complex containing hospitality boxes, permanent television and radio broadcast facilities plus spectator catering and toilet facilities is next on the agenda once the 2015 season comes to a close.
It’s been a long 150 days… but it’s been well worth it.
