GROUND IMPROVEMENTS
Club members and regular visitors to the ground will be aware that the dilapidated perimeter fencing is progressively being replaced by hedging, which will not only eventually enhance the appearance of the ground but save the Club something in the region of £40,000.
The project is almost complete and we acknowledge the expert help, guidance, and financial assistance provided by MERSEY FOREST. A big thank you is also due to the FRIENDS OF LSH for their valuable financial contribution.
The proximity of pitch No. 2 to the boundary is preventing the completion of the work, while at the same time the roots of the poplar trees are starting to spread into the in-goal area. It has therefore been decided to move pitch 2 some 3 to 4 metres towards pitch 1, thus enabling the hedging project to be completed and a potential Health & Safety issue to be addressed, while keeping the pitch at full size.
A further development now in progress is the railing off of pitches 2 and 3 to limit access to vehicular traffic in the area around the changing room entrances. This will also help resolve some Health & Safety issues, especially with an ever increasing number of children and young people using our facilities; stop the increasing tendency of people to park or drive on the grassed areas (causing erosion of the pitches); increase the amount of land given over to grass (thus increasing the size of the training and playing areas), and, as with the hedging, improve the appearance of the ground.
Much of the above work will have to be carried out next summer, but the railing off of the pitches is almost finished and will be completed by the start of season 2007/08. Access to the railed and gated area will be restricted to medical, ambulance, ground, and coaching personnel – and limited access for the St Helens Archers. Special provision will be made for buses and coaches.
Finally, having acknowledged the contributions of MERSEY FOREST and the FRIENDS OF LSH, we thank the small band of volunteers, primarily Ian Clough and Jim Dowell for the enormous amount of work they have put into these and other projects.
If you would like to help with the ongoing work of improving our (your) facilities, why not get in touch with them, or, if time or the physical element is a problem, why not contact Jo Ratchford (01942 231045) and find out about signing up with the FRIENDS OF LSH so that you can make a small, but vital, financial contribution.