Lottery Award Paves way for New Ground in 2001

The announcement that the National Lottery has awarded Hampshire CCC £7.176 million towards the development of a new county ground at West End, Southampton was made on August 12th 1996.

After several anxious months, particularly after the club's application for funding was deferred in March that year, it means that the project could now definitely move ahead.

Phased development of the 150 acre site began in early 1997, and the earth works were completed by August of the same year. The intention is to have a new ground ready for first-class cricket by the start of Season 2001.

The £16 million project will eventually include:

First-class ground with capacity for 10,000 spectators.

Adjoining but self contained nursery ground for 2nd XI, club, youth and school cricket.

Cricket academy for the development of all young cricketers.

Sports injury clinic.

Gymnasium and squash courts.

Nine-hole "pay as you play" golf course.

Indoor and outdoor bowls.

All-weather sports area.

Parking for over 3,000 cars.

Commenting on the National Lottery award, Brian Ford, chairman of Hampshire CCC, said "We are delighted with this marvellous support from the National Lottery Sports Fund".

"The development of the new ground will be of tremendous importance for the future of the club, and the cricket academy will enable us to participate fully in cricket's national development plan which seeks to establish regional centres of excellence throughout the country.

Mark Nicholas, writing in The Daily Telegraph, put it eloquently: "Tradition and the charm which is part of the history of the club will not be forsaken for modernism, but the 21st Century will be embraced in the vision which will bring Hampshire its own cricket village.