In his Summer Update, Cameron made it clear that the recent pitch work undertaken was a surface renovation, not a complete rebuild, the only option to solve the underlying issues. However, in light of the existing demands of the Club budget, unfortunately, the cost in excess of £1.3 m cannot be justified at present.
The club has invested in rain covers, but their effectiveness is seriously weakened due to standing water on them spilling onto the pitch when they are removed.
Cameron described the strict regime being implemented this season to prevent the pitch from becoming waterlogged by covering it when any significant rainfall is forecast. He also mentioned the challenges faced by ground staff in removing water from the covers and noted that details on how to volunteer for assistance at these times will be shared soon. Jamie Willoughby also detailed this to Trust members at the CAB meeting, and it is included in our update HERE
To help protect the pitch and minimise postponements, the Trust has been discussing with the Club the purchase of several Bowdry Mark III roller units (as shown in the enclosed pictures).
These units, aided by the pool of volunteers being sought, will more effectively remove standing water from the covers before they are removed, reducing the time needed and helping to maintain the level of protection provided by the covers for a longer period. These rollers will also be helpful in the event of a heavy downpour during a live match, as they could be used at half-time and immediately at the end of the game.
The above picture (apologies if it’s a tad blurred) shows the actual size perspective.
We propose providing seven Bowdry Mark 111 units and squeegees for £ 6,000.00, funded by allocating the remaining balances of the Trust’s share of the Squad Builder and Fighting Funds, supplemented by available fundraising revenue.
We are seeking approval from members to donate this amount to a project that we believe is justified, offers immediate benefits, and ideally reduces the number of games needing rescheduling, which affects players’ training and match preparation.
For clarity, when the SB and FF ended, it was agreed (HERE) to split the remaining amount between BOGS (Now Dale1907) and the Trust. Dale 1907 has utilised its allocation to bring vibrancy to the COA with a multitude of flags, and the Trust aims to ensure that the best possible playing surface is present at the COA.
We value our members’ support, so we kindly ask that you use the link below to confirm your support for this initiative.
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