Derbyshire CCC builds £2m media centre as part of ground development plan

Work has started on the £2m (US$2.8m, €2.6m) media centre being erected at Derbyshire County Cricket Club (DCCC) as part of its ground development plan.

The Pick Everard-designed four-storey building – which will be built between the marquee and Falcons stand at the club’s 3aaa County Ground – will be ready to use in mid-August 2016. As a consequence the Falcons stand will be relocated towards the corner of the ground.

The media centre will have a reception on the ground floor, club offices on the second floor and space for print, radio and television journalists on the third floor. The fourth floor will be let as commercial space, although the television gantry will be in front.

Pick Everard previously worked with the County Championship Division Two club on the £1m (US$1.4m, €1.3m) redevelopment of the 3aaa Pavilion and elite performance centre – which houses facilities for umpires, physiotherapists and analysts – last year.

DCCC chief executive Simon Storey said: “The new building, which is part of phase two of our overall ground development project, will provide a striking new addition to the 3aaa County Ground while offering elite facilities for the media and commercial clients.”

The next stage of the 3aaa development includes improved seating facilities around the boundary in time for hosting matches at the 2017 Women’s World Cup. Staging more international cricket, concerts and community events have been highlighted as ambitions for the ground when work is complete.