ST LAWRENCE CRICKET GROUND, CANTERBURY

Established in 1835, the St Lawrence Ground is one of the longest standing county cricket grounds in England. With its unique character it has always been one of England’s most attractive grounds, and this is respected by our designs for a fully refurbished ground that will provide both enhanced cricket facilities and improved conditions for the 5,500 spectators. The refurbishment also includes floodlights to extend the cricketing day during a typical English summer.

Full planning approval has been granted for the whole masterplan centred around a new public entrance square, which provides a focus to the varied activities within and welcomes visitors.

Cricketing excellence will be nurtured with new physiotherapy/sports injury treatment rooms for both club and public use. These will enhance the existing multi-sport games area and Kent Cricket Academy, which was itself extended in 2005 to a Clague design.

New business activity will be generated by a health and fitness centre with a swimming pool and a three/four-star 130-bedroom hotel with
restaurant/bars. There is a club retail shop, improved club offices, a “History of Cricket” museum and business hub/conference facilities for 250 delegates linked to the existing Colin Cowdrey conference facility. The construction of these facilities offers opportunities to local residents and schoolchildren to expand their involvement in sporting activities. Health facilities for rehabilitation patients from the adjacent hospital and doctors’ surgeries are improved as well as providing a ‘year round’ business that will help to ensure the financial security of Kent County Cricket Club for the future.