Educational Establishments
designed pavilion, shortlisted for an architectural award last year, and the upgraded playing surfaces, the practice nets present another “statement of our intent” about Oundle’s sporting prowess, Richard believes. In a move that parallels training facilities
at the top end of the game, the practice strips have been constructed to mirror the differing playing conditions that will prevail on the match pitches. The ten synthetic strips, completed in
early December by CLS Sports, feature different shockpads to create varying wicket speeds. Three are fitted with power to allow bowling machines to operate on them. The project hit problems, however, when
severe storms lifted and rippled the whole surface. It took just a day and half for the installation team to rectify the damage, with the design being adjusted to incorporate timber ballstop edging boards to prevent history repeating itself. The ten natural strips are constructed very much on the lines of the first XI square itself, loam-based and, as Richard confirms, “managed in the way the match wickets are - rolled and cut well before the season begins, with John [Crawley] liaising with the grounds team on pitch profile.” If the cricket developments are indeed a
statement of intent, they are a powerful one for sure. “The feeling was that we were failing to provide the number or variety of sports facility, bearing in mind the number of
Aerial view of the new cricket nets facility
pupils here. We are taking sport a little bit further, allowing us to help players develop to their potential. However, it’s more about kudos than trophies.” Richard’s remit extends to environmental management and strategy - issues that rank high in the school’s priorities, he says. “Many hundreds of trees populate the estate, including an arboretum numbering some interesting species, and we have environmental policies in place, including sustainability of our buildings, which include systems such as air source heat pumps, solar panels to improve energy efficiency.” “We encourage biodiversity across the
site, managing wild and garden areas and creating soft landscaping schemes that encourage fauna and flora. Beside the science building, finished in 2007, lies a large pond, planted up with aquatic species, which is a haven for birds - and a wood on the estate, managed for conservation and diversity, has been turned into a World War Two memorial commemorating former pupils who fell during the conflict.”
All images © Ivan Quetglas
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PC OCTOBER/NOVEMBER 2016 I 67
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