(From Left – Right) Chris Barry (Football Foundation), Mark Swatton (Contracts Manager, Agripower Contractors), Clare Bell (Project Manager, North East Lincolnshire Council), Grant Holmes (Director, Agripower Contractors), Mark Cullum (Development Manager, North East Lincolnshire Council), Steve Thomas (Associate Director, Sport Landscape Development Unit), Emma Olden (Sport Landscape Development Unit), Nick Rickerby (Consultant, Sport Landscape Development Unit) clutch a £1-million cheque which was handed over to North East Lincolnshire Council from the Football Foundation towards the redevelopment of Bradley Pitches.
Sports facilities in Grimsby will soon be of a Premier League standard thanks to Agripower Contractors.
The Bradley Road project, which is part-funded by North East Lincolnshire Council, Football Association and the Football Foundation, includes the construction of four natural and one synthetic state-of-the-art pitches and a new pavilion.
Agripower were awarded the pitch contract in late August with work starting in early September which included an irrigated, floodlit full size natural Premier pitch with seating, one full size fully floodlit 3G synthetic pitch to both Football Association and Football Foundation specifications, three full size natural training pitches which have been drained and sand ameliorated, attenuation for pavilion, car parks and all pitch works, site secure fencing systems for the whole area, turnstiles and stands.
Excellent progress has been achieved on site. Firstly, the topsoil was stripped off all working areas before subsoil grading and the replacement of top soil was completed. A full drainage and irrigation system was installed along with concrete edgings, floodlight column bases, ducting and cables. The full sized natural pitch was then seeded in early October with Barenbrug’s Bar 7, which has been specifically designed for rapid establishment and has an outstanding wear tolerance in or out of shaded areas.
The synthetic pitch is also due to be finished ahead of schedule and is currently awaiting an upgrade to FIFA two star accreditation. Works included the topsoil being stripped, subsoil graded, drains installed, stone formation laid followed by all edgings, floodlight bases, path surrounds and fencing being installed.
Grant Holmes, Director of Agripower told The Landscaper “Our intention was to hit the ground running and endeavour to complete the bulk of works before the onset of winter. Whilst the weather has been mostly favourable, the real credit has to be given to all of our staff that have really pulled out all the stops”.
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