Players report back to new-look County Ground
by Alan Rowley, 30th March 2004

The Derbyshire County Cricket Club squad is already well into their pre-season training as ground improvements continue to impress. The dull appearance of a year or two ago is rapidly being replaced by a new look which is bound to create a much more atmospheric setting for County cricket.

The Academy and Indoor School is now really beginning to take shape and is already blocking out the view of Chaddesden that had been evident since the demolition of the old grandstand a couple of years ago. Work is continuing on the £4.2 million project and the building looks on course for the planned opening in late Spring.

Building work continues on the Academy and Indoor School

The state-of-the-art development will offer superb facilities for community groups and local schools in the Derwent region, and the city as a whole, to give a much needed boost to the sporting facilities in the region. Derwent Community Team Director, Karl Walkinshaw, told the official club website: “This project not only provides the city with a magnificent piece of modern architecture, it also makes cricket a tangible part of the community."

Pre-season training takes place as building work continues

The Indoor School isn't the only improvement that has taken place during the close season. Supporters entering the ground at the side of the pavilion will now be greeted with a far more pleasant outlook as the old Supporters Club bookshop and club shop have been demolished to make way for an extension to the seating capacity. Also gone is the old wall in front of the area to make way for a new white fencing which blends in with the boundary fencing on the rest of the ground.

A much more pleasant entrance to the ground

Finishing touches are made to advertising hoardings in the new seating area

The improvements are dramatically improving the appearance of the ground and will hopefully boost flagging membership numbers. The old windswept County Ground is now a thing of the past and supporters can look forward to facilities on a par with other County cricket grounds.

Full details of 2004 membership can be found here.