Summer Earthquakes at HDP

[michael]

Can someoine advise what an earthquake does to improve the pitch.

 

Glad to see the pitch wil be getting some tlc over summer.

 

It does need some drainage attention though, as we were lucky last season as it never rained on a saturday until March-then we had a postponement.

 

The usual wet autumn weather could cause major problems if no drainage improvements-maybe thats what an earthquake does-anyone know ?

 

With seemingly more home games going to be crammed in early,then we can't do with postponements,and it does seem there are drainage issues to sort

[Gate Watcher]

Maybe giving the pitch earthquake treatment means that all dead grass will be skimmed off, soil placed on top and then spiked to allow new seeds to take root from a deeper level. Or maybe it means that the drainage pipes will be rid of concrete. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/achso.gif" alt="" />

[hangthedj]

An earthquake machine basically breaks up all the conpacted soil under a pitch to allow for easier drainage. At least thats what I understand from what Ray said LOL!

[michael]

Makes sense Teabar, but also means that we still have concrete blocking the drainage pipes;so still will have a drainage problem if the water can only drain so far ?

[geoff pay]

Any chance of some tempory terrace at coffin end it is hard to see down there with bigger crowds and i'm over 6 feet?

[Boney Crisp]

The club cannot do that as we have run out of our temporary stadium funds.

[geoff pay]

only thinking of basic portable terrace nothing big. staging like

[Boney Crisp]

Cant see why the club cant build a few steps at that end to create a terrace. Can't cost that much surely and it must be cheaper then renting a stand.

[michael]

To be fair, we should get better crowds next season, and maybe something is reqd.

[Cookie]

KP said quite clearly at that meeting that nothing TEMPORARY will be added to the exsisting ground.

[blueblood]

Spot on tony. The club spent a small fortune to get us back to the facility we have. I know it is difficult to see at the far end as it is on the sides. I am sure if someone donated the materials and others provided the labour then the club would look at it as again, though i am sure the amount of money required could buy a player or 2. Also as i have been led to understand it, the earthquake machine breaks up the sub soil as well as having a disc which cuts a zig zag pattern slit into the surface to a depth of 16 inches, the said slit should cut into the top of the permeable material which fills the drainage trenches, allowing water to run into the drains, the slits will be filled themselves with the top dressing. Hopefully we can have a water log free season as with the development due to start in march the last thing we need is a back log of home games.

[michael]

In fairness to MFC, i bet that machine/work is not cheap.

 

If on site one week, bet that costs about £5k

[Gate Watcher]

The pitch work is necessary but I would rather see money going into the playing budget than spent on temporary terracing. Although not brilliant what we have is adequate for one more season.

[michael]

AS concrete is pre-cast, you could have a 3 tier terrace for say half the width behind the goal, and then re-use it on the new site.

The concrete bolts together.

 

FGRovers have built a first class new stadium using many bits of the old ground including 10 year old terracing where they have unbolted the concrete, lumped it up the hill and it looks first class in its new setting !!

 

I suggest about £10k to build and relocate 12 months later-easy job,and not wasted money

[blueblood]

Good idea MM, do you have the £10,000 to spare?,i don't think the club as. What i do know is the club needs the fans more than ever this season to Give support and to give time/help in raising funds to see it through until the development is up and running. I spoke to Ray last night who confirmed pretty well what i said about the discing(they also vibrate which breaks the pan). Also they will be using 80 tons of top dressing, so i think your £5,000 is a little of the mark.

[michael]

Never pretended to be a quantity surveyor.

 

They make accountancy look exciting.

 

I suppose if we all went to Homebase and bought a box of Evergreen 90 it may help !

 

Re: the small terrace, my point was that maybe Margate and Hartsdown Development Company coud find the £10K for the pre-cast concrete terracing as they will have to procure it for permanent ground anyway.