GALPHARM Stadium chiefs are pitching for more business – by installing a pioneering surface.
The shale track surrounding the playing surface at the stadium, home to Huddersfield Town FC and Huddersfield Giants RLFC, is being replaced by a modern, rubberised sports surface.
The work is being done as part of the venue’s sponsorship deal with Milnsbridge-based marketing innovations company Message4it.
Managers said the perimeter surface would improve the appearance of the ground and be easier to maintain – as well as providing the opportunity for advertising messages to be displayed.
Ralph Rimmer, stadium chief executive, said: “The Galpharm has a wide surround – large enough for vehicles – and requires continual maintenance, particularly when wet.
“The resurfacing of the pitch surround will make a big difference to the overall visual presentation and pitch-side safety.
“These improvements are part of our constant drive to provide the best possible experience for fans, opposing teams and visitors when they come to the Galpharm.”
John O’Donnell, director of project contractors M O’Donnell, also based in Milnsbridge, said: “The resurfacing will take place in two phases over this and next season. We are now finishing the first phase, which includes the length of the track past the tunnel and dugouts plus the corners at each end of this strip.
“The project requires digging out the existing material and replacing it with suitable base material and tarmac before finishing with the rubberised safety layer.
“The Galpharm is a particularly busy venue at this time of year, hosting matches for both Town and the Giants and all the work has to be completed between fixtures.”
Said Mr O’Donnell: “The Galpharm is the first project of its kind to which we have applied our specialist surfacing knowledge and we hope to use this project as a showcase.
“We hope that the fact that we can demonstrate how to convert a maintenance headache into a potential source of revenue will be attractive to other stadium owners.”
