`Greater' Gayfield - Ground Improvements

Club Secretary Gary Callon explains recent improvements at Gayfield

FLOODLIGHTS:

Unfortunately the previous lighting level was sufficiently bright or uniform under Club Licencing criteria. (the dimensions of Brechin City's pitch also fell foul of the same regulations for being too narrow).

Thus, the Club has been under pressure from the SFA to address the matter. The main part of the problem was due to there being no lighting in the centre area in front of the main stand partly because the two old pylons had been removed when the new stand was rebuilt. Because of this dim area, the lights on the corner pylons were having to aim too far and the overall quality of lighting has therefore not been good.

To address the situation, a new lighting rig has been placed on the centre of the main stand roof and 6 new lights have now been installed there. The corner pylons on the stand side have been reduced from 9 lights each down to 6 each, with 2 special lights included on each pylon for the goalmouth and touchline areas.

On the seaside terracing, the 4 pylons have had to have some lights replaced as the existing ones have suffered some serious corrosion from the sea air, particularly the top row. These pylons will also have a 5th light added to them. To date, the lighting company has used a combination of some of the better existing lights and also installed a large number of new ones. Measures have also been taken to stop seagulls and pigeons perching on the lights.

DRESSING ROOMS

The plan is that these will not only be modernised but also extended outwards to more than double their previous size. Again, this comes under SFA licencing criteria and the Club has been under pressure to address the matter. The home dressing room was modernised last summer and the away one will be done soon, along with the building extension work.

SFA CLUB LICENCE