Partnership proposals for Derbyshire CCC’s 3aaa County Ground development

Building on the current £1 million investment into a state-of the-art new cricket centre of excellence, a new conference and events centre venue in time for April 2015 and upgraded members’ facilities, a further £3million in facilities is proposed between now and the summer of 2017.

Further projects will include a new Media Centre to support coverage of county cricket.

Also proposed is an upgrade of the current floodlight system as well as the creation of improved spectator facilities.

Chief Executive Simon Storey originally shared the masterplan with the club’s members at the 2014 AGM back in March last year.

He says the plans were drawn up with the club’s future at the heart of them.

He said: “We have been working with Derby City Council on unlocking sources of funding and financing that maintain the security and sustainability of the Club.

“We have a robust growth model and a strong foundation of delivering a surplus each year and that will continue into the future.

“The commercial growth we stimulate by hosting big fixtures, unlocking new sources of revenue and attracting visitors to the city will mean we are contributing more to the local economy than ever before, providing more job opportunities.

“We’ll also play an increasingly important role in helping our local community take part in sport and fitness activity.

“This will also help towards our ambitions for success on-the-field by encouraging more local youngsters to play cricket.

“It will also provide them with top quality facilities and coaching.”

Chairman Chris Grant also threw his weight behind the plans, saying it is an exciting time to be a part of Derbyshire CCC.

He said: “This is tremendously exciting for the club.

“It’s made possible by the excellent relationship we have formed with Derby City Council under the leadership of Ranjit Banwait and his Executive team.

“It’s not about competing with the likes of Trent Bridge for the already-congested schedule of Test and full international cricket.

He added that the plans would put the club onto a new level: “A redeveloped 3aaa County Ground will put Derbyshire on the map as a model non-Test venue.”

The Council Cabinet were set to meet on January 21.