COVENTRY City have postponed this weekend’s home match against Huddersfield Town as extensive work begins on improving the pitch at the CBS Arena.
A six-figure investment will be made to ensure the pitch is safe and playable again after it was badly damaged by 65 rugby sevens matches during the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.
The damage to the pitch has forced Coventry to postpone three home matches this season whilst they moved their Carabao Cup tie against Bristol City to Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium.
Coventry had sought to reverse the fixture against Huddersfield but the Terriers were unable to accommodate the request due to the timescales involved.
And the club hope that work will be completed in time to host Preston North End at the Arena on Wednesday, August 31.
The club confirmed that ‘new synthetic fibres will be stitched into the ground throughout the pitch. These new fibres will give increased stability to the existing structure and then allow for better growth now and in the future’ – in a joint statement with Arena owners Wasps.
They continued ‘areas which have been more widely damaged will be subject to extensive and increased maintenance work so they can be fully integrated with the existing pitch.
The EFL added: “The EFL welcomes the news that the club and the CBS Arena have accepted the recommendations of internationally-recognised sports turf experts to undertake a re-lay of substantial parts of the pitch to try and avoid further issues for the remainder of the season.”
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street was brought in to mediate between Coventry and landlords Wasps after the Sky Blues triggered the ‘dispute resolution mechanism’ in their 10-year agreement.
Street said in a statement: “I hope that Championship football can resume at the CBS as quickly as possible.
“A number of conversations have taken place and I am pleased to confirm that progress has been made. Coventry City and Wasps appear to have found a solution for this season.
“As mayor, I’ve always been willing to try to play my part in helping to step in and resolve disputes across our region.”
It remains to be seen who will foot the bill for the improvements.
Dave Boddy, Coventry City Chief Executive, said: “We are very pleased to bring news to our supporters that this work is taking place and beginning immediately.
“The extensive work will begin immediately – while this is not soon enough for Saturday, we will then be able to return to the Arena for our home game against Preston North End on Wednesday 31st August.
“I would like to thank Wasps Group and the Arena for agreeing to this work taking place.
“I know that all our fans will be disappointed that the match against Huddersfield has been postponed, but this work will address the issues that have been experienced at the Arena and put in place a pitch that will mean we will be able to get back to normal – for fans, players, staff and the Football Club as a whole.”
Stephen Vaughan, Wasps Group Chief Executive Officer, said: “Wasps Group is pleased that a solution has now been agreed with Coventry City to resolve the issues with the playing surface at the Arena.
“We appreciate this has been a difficult time for everyone involved, and are pleased that work is now underway to ensure Coventry City can return to the Arena by the end of August.”
