[F]renchfield Park Stadium, the home of Penrith AFC is having significant works undertaken to improve the condition of the playing surface.
Eden District Council which leases the ground to Penrith AFC, has been working in partnership for some period of time to address concerns the Club was experiencing with its playing surface.
The Council’s Executive resolved to support the pitch works by approving a supplementary estimate of £18,500 in April 2017. The Council has also submitted a grant application to the Football Stadium Improvement Fund to meet 50% of the costs.
Following the receipt of quotations the Council appointed Duncan Ross Ltd of Ormskirk, Lancs to undertake the improvement works which include removal of the grass surface, installing sand banding to aid drainage, cultivating and seed bed preparation and seeding the playing area.
Work commenced on Wednesday 17 May 2017 and the first element of the scheme was completed on the evening Friday 19 May. The contractor will return to the facility in a further six weeks to vertidrain (de-compacting the soil on the pitch to allow air in and improve drainage) the playing area and apply a fertilizer treatment.
Eden District Council’s Leisure Services Officer, Ian Parker, said: “Following the approvals from the Council’s Executive we were very quickly able to get Duncan Ross to commence works. Regular liaison during the works between the Council, Club Officials and the Contractor has ensured the project has proceeded as planned to the satisfaction of all concerned. Duncan Ross should be credited for the exemplary performance of his personnel who have worked to complete the first phase of the works in only three days.”
Ian White, the Secretary of Penrith AFC, said: “We are delighted with the work undertaken by Duncan Ross Ltd and are grateful for the financial support from Eden District Council, which has made this possible. Hopefully, this will resolve the long-standing problems with the pitch.”
