Watch this space…
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PROGRESS UPDATE DAY 1.
08.08.2011
The machines arrive on site and fences are put up.
Weed killer is applied to the grass to prevent it continuing to grow
and subsequently rot after it is dug up and placed in spoil heaps,
making it easier to spread the topsoil when the project is complete.
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PROGRESS UPDATE DAY 5.
12.08.2011
The topsoil is Harrowed to loosen it up and help to break down the turf.
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PROGRESS UPDATE DAY 12.
19.08.2011
Before the excavation can commence, there must be a survey by Professional Archaeologists
working on behalf of the County Council to decide whether the site merits further investigation.
This is a time when builders hold their breath because if anything is found,
it inevitably leads to delays on site and extra costs !
Thankfully, nothing except a few old bottles and lots of pieces
of broken crockery are found – so work can continue.
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PROGRESS UPDATE DAY 15.
22.08.2011
Work starts proper and true to form, so does the rain.
Work never stops, but the workers get wet and progress
has to be at a slightly slower pace to make sure everything
is carried out safely and the site doesn’t cut up too badly.
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PROGRESS UPDATE DAY 20.
26.08.2011
Better weather and work is progressing well.
The outline of the new track is just starting to emerge from the ground.
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PROGRESS UPDATE WEEK 6.
09.09.2011
The outline of the track can now clearly be seen on one side of the field.
This photo shows just how deep we have to dig to get to the correct level.
The earth which is dug at one end of the track is taken to the other end
where the land is generally low and deposited in layers before being compacted
by a large roller towed by a tractor. This is known as “cut and fill” in construction terminology.
By doing this we can retain all the soil on the site and not have any surplus to take away – which is both cost
effective and environmentally friendly by reducing the amount of haulage vehicles required.
About half of the deep excavation is now complete – only another 10,000 tonnes or so to go.
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PROGRESS UPDATE WEEK 7
16.09.2011
After the bulk of the earth has been dug out by the excavator,
the Bulldozer in the picture levels out the ground to an exact height
which is accurate to within a few millimetres.
The blade of the machine is controlled by a laser beam
which set at the correct level and rotates so that it covers the whole site.
All the driver has to do is steer the machine in the right direction and the laser does the rest.
The track layout is almost all visible now and will soon be ready to commence the next operation which is
stabilising the soil with lime and cement mixtures to make sure that there is no subsidence over the years.
(It wouldn’t be good if your perfectly flat track turned into a cross country with hills and hollows).
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PROGRESS UPDATE WEEK 8
23.09.2011
The stabilisation process has begun.
Lime and cement are spread onto the track area,
then rolled and compacted to make sure the ground stays level.
The track is now level and will soon be ready for the final build
up of hardcore ready to accept the running surface.
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PROGRESS UPDATE WEEK 9
03.10.2011
The stabilisation process with lime and cement mixed into the clay
is now complete and the outline of the track can clearly be seen.
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PROGRESS UPDATE WEEK 10
07.10.2011
Week 10 and the track is clearly defined.
On the surface not a lot of change apparent in the week,
but now there is about 1.5 km of drainage pipe underneath
the infield area to help make sure that the rain all drains away quickly
and the surface remains playable at all times.
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PROGRESS UPDATE WEEK 11
17.10.2011
Another productive week despite the weather.
The drainage around the track is now complete and the hardcore
which forms the base of the running track is starting to be laid.
Consultants from the co-funders of the project, Sport England,
have checked the critical dimensions being used on site to locate
all the features and found them to be accurate to within 1mm.
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PROGRESS UPDATE WEEK 12
22.10.2011
Work continues to progress well, though increasingly affected by the cold, wet weather.
.
The inside kerb of the running track has now been set and the topsoil
which forms the infield area is being brought back into the middle.
The steeplechase water-jump is being dug and will be finished next week.
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PROGRESS UPDATE WEEK 13
29.10.2011
A slightly dismal week on site with wet weather making the
final shaping up of the topsoil on the infield very difficult.
We have concentrated on forming the steeplechase waterjump pit
and installing the electricity sub-mains cable from the school
up to the site ready for connection to the floodlights.
The construction site at daybreak – order shall come from chaos and all will be well.
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PROGRESS UPDATE WEEK 18
02.12.2011
OUR NEW TRACK - AN UPDATE AND SOME REQUESTS
Firstly the bad news. As had been feared for some time,
the other works were not sufficiently advanced by the end
of October to allow the synthetic surfaces to be laid.
The specialist contractors who are to lay the surface were
unwilling to guarantee their work if an adequate temperature
(5º C for one operation and 10º C for another) would not be maintained.
Laying it at too low a temperature could cause the surface to break up later,
as has happened at another North East track.
Consequently we don't expect to have a useable track before April and it may
be later than that before the grass in the centre of the track has properly taken root.
However, the good news is that through a new Sport England programme (Places People Play)
and matched funding from various sources, including ourselves,
some new changing rooms are to be built next to the track.
There will be two 'team size' changing rooms and two smaller rooms
together with showers and WCs, plus a small kitchen.
The building will replace the semi-derelict changing block previously used by KEVI.
The delay in the track surfacing will actually benefit this as the
hard track base can be used to bring in building materials - otherwise
there would have been a risk of the freshly laid surface being damaged.
Work on the building is expected to start in January and February
with new perimeter fencing likely to be installed around the same time.
There was more good news with the decision that the old cricket pavilion is to be restored for use.
This will be a great benefit when competitive meetings are held at the new facility,
as it will act as an administrative HQ, housing the results recorders etc.
One loose end still to be tied up is the purchase of all
the necessary equipment to host a full-scale meeting.
Landing areas, pole vault stands and hurdles etc. don't come cheaply -
a figure of £25,000 to £30,000 is likely to be required.
Some of this will come from the Places People Play grant
but funding is also currently being sought from other sources -
any leads from club members will be gratefully received.
Another area where help will be needed from club members and others is coaching.
Once the facility is completed we will need coaches to develop our athletes across the full range of events.
Historically we have always had more endurance coaches (although never enough !).
Now we will need coaches for jumps, throws, hurdles etc.
We have already had a handful of offers (some from outside the club)
but we will need many more - existing members, former members and others.
Where coaches are willing to help but need to advance through the UKA coaching structure
we can often access funding for this. However, the club's own insurance means that anyone we deem to be
competent to coach is covered, whether or not they have a formal coaching qualification.
So, how about it for yourself or someone you know ?
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