Cambridge to get two new pitches after council investment of $900,000

posted in: Club noticeboard, News

After years of campaigning for ground improvements, Cambridge FC are about to get two new full-sized pitches at their John Kerkhof Park home.

The Waipā District Council, who lease the grounds to the club, have confirmed they will invest in upgrading the fields by filling in a drain that runs between the club’s senior and junior pitches.

For their 75th jubilee season, Cambridge will revive a shirt that’s a replica of their historic team colours.

The upgrade — estimated to cost $900,000 — will see the new pitches available for Cambridge’s 75th jubilee season in 2023.

Main photo: Long-time Cambridge president Peter Martens … a 75th jubilee and a significant improvement in the club’s pitches.

In a statement, the council said: “The fields will resolve the wet weather issues which plague the fields during the winter sport season, sometimes making the pitches unusable.”

Waipā District Council’s community services manager, Brad Ward, said the contract was awarded to TIC Contracting Ltd, who specialise in this type of work, and will cost approximately $900,000.

“This work will be beneficial to the community by creating two additional playing platforms which can be used all year round.”

Works include installation of new drainage and irrigation, earthworks and re-levelling of the existing ground area.

The swale drain which runs through the middle of the grounds will also be filled in. The drain currently reduces the length of the football pitch, making it a non-regulation size.

“Previously these fields have been unusable during the wet winter season, so the work means there will more sports fields available in Cambridge.

“By filling in the swale drain, the football club will be able to bring the pitches up to regulation standard.”

The new pitches (marked in red) are between the club’s existing senior and junior pitches.

The fields will be closed to the public while under construction and the club, council and contractors are working together to minimise disruption to the playing schedule.

Construction gets underway at John Kerkhof Park from Monday November 14.

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