Astroturf Renewal Project
Well would you credit it? Its almost 15 years since we moved across the road from Old Cambusdoon to the new club.
Part of the lifeblood for the club has been the income derived over the period from the lets of the astroturf pitch. It
may surprise you to know that over the past 12 years the net “profit” from the Astroturf playing surface has been £104k of which £34k is currently in the renewal fund. That means that c£70k has gone to support the day to day running expenses of the club. It has therefore generated almost the same (net) income for the club as the bar over the same period. The facility has also allowed the Hockey Section to thrive particularly with a buoyant youth section and with 5 senior teams out regularly each Saturday. It is particularly pleasing to note that the Mens First XI are chasing promotion to Division 2 of the National Leagues – a position not attained since the heady days of John Laughland and his contemporaries being admitted to the top division following years of domination of the West District Leagues. We are also striving to become the centre of excellence for the south west district of the Scottish Hockey Union.
All of this comes at a price however and we are currently advised that the pitch life is very limited. We have accordingly launched a project to raise sufficient monies to replace the carpet and indeed put down a better surface commensurate with our aspirations to play at the highest levels. We are currently advised that the projected cost is currently in the region of £250,000.00!!
A committee chaired by yours truly has been set up to oversee the project involving fund raising internally and externally, grant aid, pitch selection, and project management. Phil Adams has been persuaded to join us on the Project management side aided by local architect Stuart McPherson who was involved in the original pitch. We are trying to recruit a fundraiser and the finances will be overseen by Sam Hornell our retired banker. This is a mammoth task but I am sure you will agree that it is crucial for the future that we achieve success.
Stage 1 of the fundraising project was launched at the recent Special General Meeting and seeks donations in multiples of £50 in exchange for a square or indeed squares of the old pitch. Even if you are not able to contribute in any other way please consider giving generously. To contribute please click here.
A project of this enormity cannot be left to a select few and if you have any offers of help or ideas as to how or where funding might be raised please come forward.
If you have any thoughts or simply want an update please contact me either at the club or on [email protected]
One thing you can be assured of is that this will not be last you hear of me!!
Carl Crone
Chair Astroturf Renewal Committee
(18th Mar 2012)