Work started on the evening of Sunday 17 May, with contactors Consensus Leisure and NW Sports Pitch & Groundcare Ltd stripping the pitch back ahead of the installation of the main drains. In total, approximately 350 tons of earth was moved during the works.
By the end of week one, the main drain had been installed, with work underway on the lateral drainage across the pitch. Those works were completed by the end of week two, totalling around 1700 metres of new drains installed.
The soil was then prepared for reseeding, with 500 kilograms - half a ton - of seed sown. That seeding was complete last Thursday (4th June) – a month ahead of our opening pre-season friendly.
Phase 2 – the installation of the secondary drainage – will take place at the end of the 2026/27 season, allowing the pitch to properly settle and establish over the next twelve months.
All of the works are being overseen by a third-party experienced sports turf and drainage specialist, who is providing independent assurance and support throughout the project.
Of course, none of this would have been possible without the incredible backing given by supporters in raising £40,000 in the recent “Pitch In” crowdfunder, which unlocked £130,000 of funding from the Premier League Stadium Fund.
Andy O’Sullivan, Head Groundsman, said: “We're really pleased with how the project has gone. We've had some tight timescales to work to, to ensure we could fit the works in ahead of pre-season, but the project team have worked really hard to get everything done. With what we found as we dug up the pitch, it showed exactly why this project was needed, but we're confident that it's going to make a big difference to the resilience of the pitch. In four years here, I've barely seen the drainage water trickle out into the chamber, so to see the water pouring through into it after the heavy rain we had earlier this week showed the difference this will make."
This work represents a significant investment in Broadhurst Park, with the goal of providing a high-quality playing surface for both our Men’s and Women’s Teams. No drainage system can entirely eliminate the risk of postponements as a result of extreme weather events over a long season, but this work will significantly improve resilience and mitigate the risk into 2026/27 and beyond.
We look forward to welcoming supporters back to Broadhurst Park for pre-season on Saturday 4 July as we host Bradford City
