TEMPORARY NEW PITCH TO BE LAID IMMEDIATELY AT RICOH ARENA

TEMPORARY NEW PITCH TO BE LAID IMMEDIATELY AT RICOH ARENA

Wasps are pleased to announce accelerated plans to replace the pitch at the Ricoh Arena.

The Club will fulfil its commitment to fully relay the pitch over the summer as originally planned, in order to be ready for the 2015/16 season. However, following consultation with independent turf experts about the suitability of the pitch for dual use, we have decided to take swifter action.

Wasps’ subsidiary ACL (Arena Coventry Ltd.) will therefore fund a temporary pitch replacement with immediate effect in order to give both the football and rugby clubs the best chance of success on the field.

It is intended for the new playing surface to be ready for CCFC’s next home game on 20 December against Fleetwood Town in an attempt to solve the pitch issues that have been raised by the club and its supporters recently.

It is also hoped to be ready in time to welcome Wasps for an open training session for local school children to watch on Tuesday 16th December.

Wasps Chief Executive Nick Eastwood said, “This is a significant investment by ACL to improve the present condition of the pitch, which we hope will give the rugby and football clubs a better platform on which to perform.

“We are not willing to compromise on the quality of the playing surface and recognise that this issue needs to be addressed now, so we have provided the best temporary solution available to us.

“We have been overwhelmed by the support of both long standing Wasps fans and new fans in the Coventry and Warwickshire community. Over 17,000 supporters have already committed to joining us at our first game against London Irish, and with over two weeks still to go before the match on 21 December, we will do everything in our power to provide a high quality pitch for players to produce high quality performances and entertain supporters at the Ricoh Arena this season.”