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Wakefield, West Yorkshire
Sport has always played an important part in the village of Carlton, near Leeds. The Cricket Club has been in existence since 1867 and subsequently celebrated its 150th anniversary in 2017.
In 1922 the club purchased the Town Street site from Major Calverley of Oulton Hall for £275, and remain playing cricket in the same field to this day.
Serial title and trophy winners throughout their existence, including a ground of the year award, the club has continued to expand in playing members over recent years, to the point that their only practice facility, a single lane open ended structure, had become outdated and sadly no longer fit for purpose.
In light of this, the clubs Management Committee began to examine costs and options surrounding the construction of a new twin bay non-turf practice facility at the ground.
As an ECB Approved pitch system supplier, Dura-Sport were approached by the club to offer impartial help and advice with regards to facility design, location, orientation and specification. Following a site meeting and discussions a final design proposal was agreed and an official quotation submitted by the club for funding.
Having met with a number of contractors, Dura-Sport were awarded the contract to supply and construct a new twin bay fully enclosed and lockable practice facility using a range of enhanced and upgraded materials.
Following some remedial works to the area undertaken by the club, Dura-Sport’s in house installation team broke ground on Monday 3rd October 2022.
Following levelling and excavations, over 100 tonnes of specified foundation material was imported to help to produce the levels, stability, drainage and performance required for the twin bay non-turf practice facility within the chosen location.
The club opted for a practice pitch design with an additional synthetic run up area, with The ECB Approved DSi-pro Vision cricket pitch system specified within each lane. The system is surfaced with a unique loam coloured DSi-weave, a superior wilton woven cricket carpet confirmed in an ECB accredited test laboratory as the strongest and most durable available.
The pitches were complimented by DS Evograss, our natural tri-coloured synthetic grass, installed in between and alongside each pitch to define them as well as within the extended run up area. The material extends to 300mm outside the perimeter of the cage structure to form a synthetic mowing margin around the facility.
The facility design and spike resistant carpet provides the club with the closest non-turf pitch system in terms of look, feel and performance to a well prepared natural turf wicket.
Heavy duty steel work of extended length and height fully encloses the facility, with a DDA compliant lockable entrance and exit gate installed in order to prevent any unauthorised use.
DS extra thick and durable heavy duty knotted netting has been fitted to the entire cage structure, including the full roof in order to help to prevent cricket balls from escaping and enhance facility health and safety.
A 500mm high skirt has been installed at the base of the cage structure to help to avoid any damage from wildlife inspecting the new facility, and batting curtains to aid concentration.
Working closely with the club throughout the process, the project has been completed ahead of schedule and within the clubs budget.
“We met with Dura Sport for a consultation regarding our proposed new net facility and right from the start the interest they showed in our project, along with the expert advice was second to none. Clear explanations of the specification and it’s benefits along with physical samples and detailed literature, all meant our committee could make an informed decision that Dura Sport were to be our preferred contractor. The work on site itself did not disappoint. Works began on time to the agreed schedule using their own in-house team, which meant the facility was completed in under 2 weeks. The end result of superior materials and fine workmanship means our new facility oozes quality with that professional feel. Communication throughout the project both each day from the team on site, to the senior management behind them was also superb. We are now excited that our new 2 lane cricket practice facility will develop both our junior and senior players, along with helping attract new members to our club which will benefit the whole community. Our many thanks to all involved at Dura-Sport. Great job and we would have no hesitation to highly recommend the Company to other clubs looking for superior non-turf facilities.”
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