Smith Construction construct brand-new 3rd Generation (3G) pitch at St Gregory’s Catholic School, which was unveiled at an official opening event last Friday.
The pitch is a full size artificial 3G pitch complete with fencing, floodlighting and a spectator area, which was made possible following a £444,673 grant from the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund, delivered by the Football Foundation.
The school worked alongside the Football Foundation and the Kent FA to compile a five-year Football Development Plan.
Following site clearance and excavation, drainage installation, a stone subbase was created then a macadam layer installed ready to receive the 3G artificial turf surface. Limonta Sport’s Duo Shape P+60mm artificial product was installed and then infilled with sand and rubber granules. The new 106 x 71m pitch was line marked to allow for 11v11, 9v9 and 5v5.
“The new 3G pitch has already made a massive difference. Our students and the community can continue to play football and other sports when the natural grass pitches are unplayable. We have already encouraged more people in our community to play, including women and girls, and we have programmes for those with disabilities and older people, keeping as many people as we can active, healthy and happy,” said Noel Bradbury, Assistant Head teacher at the official opening event.
Smith Maintenance, the maintenance division within Smith Construction, will complement the in-house grounds team by completing the specialist maintenance on the artificial surface.
The pitch was officially opened by after-dinner entertainer and comedian Bob ‘The Cat’ Bevan MBE, joined by Gillingham FC players Greg Cundle and Darren Oldaker and was a huge success with many local primary school children taking part in a tournament.
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