With support from Kent County Council’s Capital Grant Scheme for Sport (administered by Active Kent & Medway) and the England Cricket Board County Grants Fund, Gravesend Cricket Club installed a borehole, tank and pump to improve irrigation at the historic Bat & Ball Ground in 2024. The ground has well-documented challenges with drought conditions, compounded by being in use six days per week during peak season. As demand at the club continues to grow in all areas, the pressure on the playing surface is relentless.
The Borehole Irrigation project cost £29,820 in total. The KCC Capital Grant Scheme for Sport, which supports the purchase of community equipment and building improvements whilst aiming to leverage funding from other organisations and increasing participation in sport and physical activity, awarded £6,000 towards the project.
“It’s been a pleasure to work in partnership with Kent Cricket to support Gravesend Cricket Club on the first KCC funded borehole project in Kent. Through the KCC Capital Grant Scheme for Sport, we are proud to be supporting clubs across the county to enable them to sustain themselves more efficiently and protect the environment.” Sophie Ward, Funding & Partnerships Manager, Active Kent & Medway
Hear from club members about the irrigation project, the benefits, the challenges and advice for other clubs thinking about installing a borehole. Film credit: Kent Cricket and Active Kent & Medway.
If you would like to know more about irrigation projects at cricket sites and potential funding support, please contact James Moss, Kent Cricket, james.moss@kentcricket.co.uk