Guernsey’s new home of football, Victoria Park, is celebrating reaching three major milestones as it prepares to welcome players and fans through its turnstiles early next year.
The installation of the stadium’s ‘world-class’ 3G pitch has recently been completed, while assembly of the stands is well underway, and the venue’s contemporary clubhouse and modern changing blocks are now wind and watertight.
Over the summer months, a key focus has been preparing the site for Victoria Park’s 3G artificial pitch. The ‘next-generation football turf’ has been engineered for professional football and is used in major competitions, including FIFA World Cup qualification matches and the UEFA Champions League. The green ‘carpet’ comprises a 40mm pile height laid over a 10mm prefabricated foam shock pad. Its surface is a blend of grass-like fibres attached to a special backing with a mix of sand and rubber brushed in with the white pitch lines cut into the surface. Durable and safe, the pitch will provide the stadium with a year-round playing surface that can withstand intensive daily use.
Rihoy & Son, the main contractor, has also been busy completing groundworks and installing the framework for Victoria Park’s spectator stands. All of the stadium’s stands, comprising seated stands across the north and south touchlines and two standing structures at the goal ends, are made from high-grade galvanised steel and were prefabricated in the UK for easier on-site assembly and fitting. The stands will contribute to the stadium’s ample spectator capacity and are due to be finished in mid-November, when they will be fitted with their canopies.
Victoria Park’s buildings have also been taking shape over the last few months, and the fitout of the changing block is well-advanced. Simple and robust, the clubhouse and changing rooms are made from cavity blockwork, which will either be painted or finished with bespoke Victoria Park artwork. First and second-fix electricals and carpentry has been undertaken in the changing room block and floor screeds have been applied in both buildings. Aluminium roofs complete the infrastructure, while high-quality timber cladding has been fixed to both to complement the venue’s rural setting.
The new headquarters for Guernsey FA, and the home ground of Guernsey FC, Victoria Park marks another key milestone in the Guernsey FA’s long-term aim to provide Guernsey with a community hub that drives positive engagement and participation in football at all levels.
Gary Roberts, CEO of Guernsey FA, said: “It’s great to see Victoria Park taking shape, and 10 years on since planning began, we’re pleased that the project is well on track. The new 3G pitch will provide Guernsey football with a high-quality all-weather surface, so seeing it going down has been a particularly special moment.
“The stadium’s development means the whole community will benefit from experiencing football on a world-class playing surface, and we’re looking forward to welcoming players and fans to enjoy all the facilities Victoria Park will offer.”
Rob Jones, Director of Victoria Park, said: “The buzz that Victoria Park is already creating has been incredible, so we’re really pleased that the project is on schedule and, hopefully, we’ll be greeting players and fans through the turnstiles next spring.
“Victoria Park will realise an exciting new era for Guernsey football and we’re thrilled that the community is already supporting us, from sponsors who are keen to get involved to clubs and players looking forward to getting their boots on the pitch, it’s a really exciting time.”
