Kent County Cricket Club

Kent suffer redevelopment delays

Cricinfo staff

May 30, 2008

Kent's ambitious ground redevelopment plans have been delayed, leading to concerns for the future of the £10million overhaul at the St Lawrence Ground.

In the club's latest newsletter, the chairman, George Kennedy, released a statement to alleviate supporters' concerns, but confirmed that the project has been progressing "slower than we would have liked".

"We have to remember, however, that this is a long-term project," said Kennedy. "Supporters may have expected more activity on the ground by now, but they can at least look forward to watching cricket at St Lawrence unhindered by building."

The redevelopment plans include a hotel, health and fitness centre, and conference facilities at the far end of the ground, plus a facelift for the pavilion. Work had been due to start at the end of April, but one month later, there has been no progress whatsover.

Kent's partners for the project are Persimmon Homes and Vantage Hotel Developments Ltd, who have been hit hard by the UK's economic downturn, having suffered a 24 per cent drop in sales for the year.

"We are making good progress with our commercial partners," said Kennedy, "but, inevitably in the current climate, the momentum for the project is a little slower than we would have liked."

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