It has long been regarded as one of the best BYC grounds in Christchurch. However most visiting players to the ground often leave with remarks like "if only the runup was longer" or "man that jumped off a nasty length". Well today the exciting news was announced that over the next month the ground and in particular the pitch will be redeveloped to meet the increased use that this pitch is expected to see.
The bowlers runup will be lengthened now that the Ilam Road Sidescreen End has been leveled out. The bowlers runup increases to 4.3 metres.
As you can see on the picture 3 main areas were of major concern to the groundstaff. These are the areas of the bolwers runup (1), the bowlers followthrough (2) and the area just before the batting crease (3). They have been leveled out and new seed planted.
Perhaps the most exciting new feature will be the Pavilion. With a Spa pool to be installed next Monday the 19th and a Honours Board to see who has scored a 50 or 100 in an inter-flat contest. Currently Jeremy King has 2 50's and sits solo on the Board.
The last new fature will be the added lighting capacity to account for the games that are scheduled to be day/ nighter affairs in the winter.
We talked to the groudnstaff today and asked when the completion date would be? We were told that the project is hopefully to be completed by Friday May 20th which is also the date of Day1 of New Zealand v England in the first cricket test in England. The staff were quietly optimistic that that date can be reached with some solid weather over the next few weeks to get the grass seed away.
We will update the progress in future weeks but for now all concerned are very excited by the plan.
