Essex Begin Work on Chelmsford Development Project

July 24, 2013

Work has begun on Essex’s Chelmsford cricket ground, commencing on the project estimated to be worth approximately £85m ($122.9m).

The renovation will include a new cricket centre, pavilion, media centre, bar, club shop in addition to a stadium upgrade which will increase the capacity from 4,500 to 7,500 seats.

“Following years in the planning and after overcoming numerous hurdles, to start this development is a huge step forward and very exciting,” Keith Brown, chairman of Essex’s ground development panel, said. “It will lead to the creation of state of the art facilities for Essex Cricket Club, its team, academy, members and sponsors, with banqueting and meeting facilities for the local community and businesses. It will also have the capability of staging exhibitions and conferences.”

Although the cricket ground is the primary focus of the redevelopment project, plans have been made to create “a new public piazza… featuring retail and leisure facilities with pedestrian footbridge access to the city centre”.