Margate unveil ground improvements plan for Hartsdown Park

MARGATE have confirmed that work at Hartsdown Park is stepping up a gear in time for the start of their pre-season fixtures.

The Ryman Premier League club – who complete their campaign with an away game against Hendon tomorrow – have issued details of their ground improvements on their club website www.margate-fc.co.uk.

Works include:

* With essential maintenance work on the buildings and infrastructure continuing together with on-going improvements such as re-decoration, fencing renewal, electrical and plumbing upgrades.

Capital expenditure has been increased by the chairman with orders having been placed by the club for:

* Renovation work on the main pitch including scarification, aeration, top dressing, fertiliser applications and re-seeding. This will improve the playing surface and mitigate excessive water problems encountered during the past few months.

* Upgrading the floodlighting to improve pitch coverage and illumination, this will also include electrical supply upgrading and bird (seagull) protection for the lamp assemblies.

* Additional temporary terracing (partly covered) for the coffin end to improve facilities for the fans especially in poor winter weather, this will coincide with the re-opening of the turnstiles at that end of the ground together with additional toilet facilities and a second burger bar so that fans have refreshments readily available close at hand.

All the above work is planned to be completed prior to any pre-season matches being played at Hartsdown.

A club statement said: “The re-development of the ground is still to be progressed with the on-going review of the complete stadia complex. Initial plans will be discussed with Thanet District Council shortly.

“There have been two open evenings held recently where local residents were invited along to hear about the re-development and have their say on what they would like to see incorporated into any redevelopment as well as make known any concerns or issues they may have.”

Margate go into their final league game sitting in thirteenth-place in the table with 61 points.

Visit Margate’s website: www.margate-fc.co.uk