Ground Construction

The area for a cricket pitch has been prepared during Phase One of the Garscube development, and the grass wickets are funded by an award from the University's Ferguson Bequest (which sponsors staff recreational activities).

The ground was constructed in 1994 with the following timetable.

Before April/May 1998

• Levels to be determine
• Pitch locations to be measured and marked
• Existing artificial strip to be lifted and stored for use in practice nets

During April/May 1998

• Grass wickets to be excavated (external contractor) and base leveled and compacted
• NottsSports Artificial wicket to be laid (use excavated turf to infill existing artificial)
• Grass Wickets to be laid (loam must be laid dry, so dependent on weather) - assistance from Club members needed to may out planking and to "heel in" the loam. Grass wickets will be laid two at a time. The entire operation should be completed in a week of good weather
• Fertiliser and grass seed applied
• Construction of practice wickets from old mat, if time available

After April/May 1998

• Regular practice sessions in outdoor nets
• Some matches played on artificial in 1999 season once grass wickets well established
• Full use of grass and artificial wickets, 2000 onwards.

A sketch of the Garscube Estate, showing the location of the cricket pitch, west of the River Kelvin, bounded by two football pitches.

The shortest boundaries will be straight up and down the wickets, hopefully promoting the use a straight bat when playing shots!

Pictures during construction

The construction of the playing area at Garscube in August 1996, photographs courtesy of Chris Wilson, please click each picture to enlarge.

A view of the construction of the playing area, from the south-east towards the Beatson Institute. Sand is being laid on top of gravel sub-base (in foreground), followed by topsoil and turf for the football pitches.

A second view, of the construction of the playing area, from the south-east towards the Beatson Institute. Sand is being laid on top of gravel sub-base (in foreground), followed by topsoil and turf for the football pitches. The new banking at the north of the ground has been constructed.

The following pictures were taken by Ian Holland and show levelled top soil that was then laid with turf or grass seed. From the south-east looking north-west.

From the south-east looking north.

From the south-east looking west.

From the south-west looking north-east.

From the north-west looking south-east.

From the north looking south.

From the south-west looking north-east.