St Clair Invests In Community Facilities With New Cricket Pitch
21 January 2011
St Clair Reserve is shaping into a vibrant community centrepiece with work currently underway on construction of a first class cricket pitch, scheduled to be completed by the end of the year.
The five pitch wicket table is currently under construction in preparation for the 2011 / 2012 district cricket season.
Belair Turf Management, who are undertaking the pitch construction, bring a wealth of experience to the project, having used similar specialised techniques to construct wickets at Adelaide Oval, the home of international cricket in South Australia.
Managing director of Belair Turf Management, Simon Foord, brings a background of 26 years in the turf industry – across golf courses, tennis clubs and cricket pitches – to the project.
“The construction of the pitch is at a first class level. From a construction perspective, it is the depth and quality of the clay that matters,” he explains.
“The clay we use is specialised natural cricket pitch clay which sets extremely hard so a cricket ball will bounce correctly and consistently. Specialised clay is only available from one source in South Australia, at O’Halloran Hill.”
Neil Holton, Chairman of the Woodville District Cricket Club, says players are talking about how they are looking forward to playing on the new ground.
“Our curator, who will manage the cricket pitch square, is quite enthusiastic about the expected quality surface,” Neil says.
“Under our present arrangements, soccer is played in the winter on the oval which results in damage to the pitches and ground for the following summer. With the increased number of ovals now being provided as part of the St Clair Development, this should help with this problem.”
The Woodville District Cricket Club says the first class facilities will enable their club to use it for development of players, umpires and coaches. They expect to be able to use it for various junior development squads, which will mean that hundreds of young cricketers will be able to improve their cricket skills. The Club is enjoying a growing profile and expansion which includes signing former West Indian great, Carl Hooper, as coach and a $100,000 upgrade of club facilities.
St Clair Project Director Rob Bau says the investment in these facilities will bring benefits to the entire St Clair community.
“The cricket pitch is part of the second stage of works to the new St Clair Reserve, which also involves lighting, seating, a playground, BBQs, picnic tables and shelters,” Mr Bau says.
“We’re really looking forward to the cricket pitch’s completion, and the Club being an active and vibrant part of St Clair.”
Stage Two works add to already completed construction of the oval and hundreds of surrounding trees and plants.
The reserve will link up to St Clair’s 22 hectares (or 35% of the whole project) of parklands, open space and wetlands, all of which have been specially designed to provide wildlife with a haven amid the busy urban environment and a space for locals to explore the walkways and cycling trails or simply sit and enjoy nature.
As the 3.5m high Spotted Gums mature into shady trees, the new St Clair Reserve will be a pleasant oasis which, thanks to recycled water, will remain green and lush all year round, providing an unbeatable place for family and friends to get together.
The City of Charles Sturt undertook extensive community consultation to find out what facilities residents would like included in the plan.
The St Clair reserve, which will be utilised by the entire community once completed, will also be home to other local sporting and recreation groups.
The five pitch wicket table is currently under construction in preparation for the 2011 / 2012 district cricket season.
Belair Turf Management, who are undertaking the pitch construction, bring a wealth of experience to the project, having used similar specialised techniques to construct wickets at Adelaide Oval, the home of international cricket in South Australia.
Managing director of Belair Turf Management, Simon Foord, brings a background of 26 years in the turf industry – across golf courses, tennis clubs and cricket pitches – to the project.
“The construction of the pitch is at a first class level. From a construction perspective, it is the depth and quality of the clay that matters,” he explains.
“The clay we use is specialised natural cricket pitch clay which sets extremely hard so a cricket ball will bounce correctly and consistently. Specialised clay is only available from one source in South Australia, at O’Halloran Hill.”
Neil Holton, Chairman of the Woodville District Cricket Club, says players are talking about how they are looking forward to playing on the new ground.
“Our curator, who will manage the cricket pitch square, is quite enthusiastic about the expected quality surface,” Neil says.
“Under our present arrangements, soccer is played in the winter on the oval which results in damage to the pitches and ground for the following summer. With the increased number of ovals now being provided as part of the St Clair Development, this should help with this problem.”
The Woodville District Cricket Club says the first class facilities will enable their club to use it for development of players, umpires and coaches. They expect to be able to use it for various junior development squads, which will mean that hundreds of young cricketers will be able to improve their cricket skills. The Club is enjoying a growing profile and expansion which includes signing former West Indian great, Carl Hooper, as coach and a $100,000 upgrade of club facilities.
St Clair Project Director Rob Bau says the investment in these facilities will bring benefits to the entire St Clair community.
“The cricket pitch is part of the second stage of works to the new St Clair Reserve, which also involves lighting, seating, a playground, BBQs, picnic tables and shelters,” Mr Bau says.
“We’re really looking forward to the cricket pitch’s completion, and the Club being an active and vibrant part of St Clair.”
Stage Two works add to already completed construction of the oval and hundreds of surrounding trees and plants.
The reserve will link up to St Clair’s 22 hectares (or 35% of the whole project) of parklands, open space and wetlands, all of which have been specially designed to provide wildlife with a haven amid the busy urban environment and a space for locals to explore the walkways and cycling trails or simply sit and enjoy nature.
As the 3.5m high Spotted Gums mature into shady trees, the new St Clair Reserve will be a pleasant oasis which, thanks to recycled water, will remain green and lush all year round, providing an unbeatable place for family and friends to get together.
The City of Charles Sturt undertook extensive community consultation to find out what facilities residents would like included in the plan.
The St Clair reserve, which will be utilised by the entire community once completed, will also be home to other local sporting and recreation groups.
