WORK on the provision of a new multi-sports artifical turf pitch at Eggar’s School should be completed on schedule thanks to a winning combination of summer holidays and fine weather.

Planning permission was granted at the end of last year for the construction of a synthetic turf pitch with associated floodlights and fencing on part of the sports field at the back of the school.

Working with Notts Sport, one of the leading specialists in the design and supply of synthetic surfaces, digging began toward the end of the summer term with a view to completion by the third week in September.

In describing the proposed £530,000 facility at the time, headteacher Patrick Sullivan said: “It will be a state-of-the-art hockey facility giving greater opportunities and increased participation in sport for the people of Alton. It means we will have a hub of top class sports facilities and opportunities in the locality providing an extra space for rugby, football and hockey, to complement the new sports centre in Alton.”

Located on the grassed playing fields on the main school sports field site, the principle playing area will be 91.4m long by 55m wide, with a total playing area of 101.4m by 63m wide.

Eggar’s School has been working in partnership with Alton Hockey Club, to expand the provision for hockey both at the school and within the locality. Last November, Alton Hockey Club celebrated raising £50,000 with its Push for a Pitch appeal, to support the building of the astro-pitch on the Eggar’s campus.

The principle playing area will be 91.4m long x 55.0m wide, with a total playing area of 101.4m long x 63.0m wide, which will be suitable for competitive hockey as well as other sports such as football, rugby and netball.

Mr Sullivan sees the new all-weather pitch as “a great asset” for both the school and local sports clubs, with floodlights for evening use and availability for weekend sports and training sessions. Users will also have access to the school’s changing and shower facilities.

The hours of outside usage for the new pitch are expected to be from 7.30am-9pm Monday to Friday, from 9am-6pm on Saturdays, and 10am-2pm on Sundays.

Anyone interested in using the pitch in the autumn should e-mail Sarah McKenzie, the school’s community events co-ordinator, at [email protected].