Dilapidated City Park to undergo major face-lift

The City Park Hockey Stadium in Nairobi is set to undergo a major face-lift to enable it be in a position to host international tournaments.

It is projected that the renovation would cost approximately Sh 25 million.

The Fédération Internationale de Hockey (FIH) and Africa Hockey Federation (AHF) have since handed the renovation contract to Greenfields and Naema Construction and Engineering Limited.

Speaking on Tuesday during the inspection of the facility, Kenya Hockey Union president Nashon Randiek said that the union is in talk with the government and other stake holders to fund the project, adding that it will take almost a year to raise the funds before the project kicks off.

“Greenfields works in collaboration with FIH and Africa Hockey, and so this is a deal which was recommended to us because this is one of their appointed companies and they are also going to provide a guarantee. We have a year to look for funds and we are in talks with the government. They will give a percentage of the total cost and we have to work with other stake holders to raise the additional funds. I am sure within that one year the funds will be ready.” Randiek said.

Though the union elections are around the corner, Randiek does not foresee the project stalling insisting that it will continue irrespective of who gets elected as the initiative is being driven by FIH and AHF.

“Whether I retain the seat or not, FIH will not disappear. This is an FIH/Africa hockey project so it cannot vanish, it will still go on.” Randiek affirmed.

According to Sophcles Sophocleous, the Sales Manager at Greenfield, the renovation targets the sub base, shock pads, drainage and lighting.

The turf at the stadium was placed in 1997 and has worn out by time hence the need for the upgrade. The new turf to be laid will have polyethylene surface.

The sub base at the stadium is concrete and drainage has been an issue due to the non-permeable shock pad.

Initially there was constant water flow at the facility but the pitch, in recent times, has had matches delayed in a bid to drain out water during rainy seasons.

The face-lift will also seek to re-examine the drainage channels, a majority of which have been blocked.