Grove Playfield expansion progressing

Jan 21, 2013 Sports

Ever since visiting the Grove Playfield close to three months ago works have been progressing at a satisfactory pace according to Businessman Clive Matthews who has been funding the developmental works to date.

The Southern end of the Grove Playfield where extension works have been ongoing.

East Bank football has been experiencing challenges with regards to having a venue of their own to facilitate regular matches and tournaments; this scenario, Matthews is aiming to change once and for all in order to have the youths not only in Grove but in the East Bank Football Association (EBFA) exposed to regular games.
It is with this vision in mind that Matthews, who is also the First Vice President of the EBFA decided to invest some of his own monies in extending the Grove Playfield towards the Southern and Eastern ends in order to make it at least the minimum size by FIFA standards.
Matthews has disclosed that to date they have spread 120 truckloads of mud mostly at the Southern end of the field which is being extended by some 30meters while at the Eastern end it will be extended by 20meters.
It was disclosed that the Grove NDC along with the business community will be supporting the venture by doing the revetment works when the extension is completed in order to secure the ground from erosion.
Matthews is projecting that the field extension should be completed by April this year when the revetment works should commence.
It was also disclosed that works on upgrading the community centre has not started but will sometime soon. Matthews is aiming to refurbish the existing structure and expand by going upwards with a pavilion and dressing rooms.
Asked, how he intends to raise the relevant funds to make his vision reality, Matthews said that approaches will be mad to the NDC and the business community to buy into the initiative that will surely benefit the Grove and surrounding villages as well as the EBFA.