The Managing Director of Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Ltd, Lanre Adeleke, has advised the government and people of Delta State against using the newly installed pitch of Warri City Stadium for social events outside football. Adeleke stated that it will require a significant amount of money to maintain the pitch, which was renovated at a huge cost. He emphasized the need for a sustainable maintenance culture to preserve the playing turf.
The Warri City Stadium pitch has been a challenge for years, with past Governors in Delta State seeking a solution to the flooding issue that denied the City of Warri the opportunity to host the 2009 FIFA U17 World Cup. To address this, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori handed the renovation of the stadium to Peculiar Ultimate Concerns Ltd, headed by Lanre Adeleke. Adeleke's team engaged pitch experts, including those who fixed playing pitches in Cote d'Ivoire.
The renovation of the Warri City Stadium pitch involved the installation of a natural paspalum grass turf, which matches the standard of playing surfaces anywhere else in the world. Adeleke's team also laid four different layers for the playing pitch to sit on and opened four drainage channels to take water out of the stadium. The pitch is now ready to host the Super Eagles, according to two ex-internationals, Segun Odegbami and Mutiu Adepoju.
However, Adeleke emphasized that the pitch must not be used for any social event outside football, including church programmes, political rallies, and musical concerts. He stated that special equipment must be rolled over the pitch to prevent damage, which costs N12million. Additionally, after a repair due to hosting a social event, the playing turf must be given at least ten days for the grass to fully recover.
Adeleke stressed that establishing a proper, long-term maintenance system is essential to keep the stadium's playing surfaces and infrastructure in top shape. He advised the government and people of Delta State to take responsibility for maintaining the pitch to ensure its longevity. The pitch's renovation is a robust four-level drainage system engineered to combat regional flooding and waterlogging during heavy rainfall.
The warning by Adeleke comes as a reminder of the importance of maintaining the Warri City Stadium pitch. The stadium, which is a significant infrastructure in Delta State, requires careful management to ensure its continued use for football and other events. Adeleke's team has done a great job in renovating the pitch, but it is now up to the government and people of Delta State to ensure its maintenance.
In conclusion, the Warri City Stadium pitch is now ready for use, but it requires careful maintenance to ensure its longevity. The government and people of Delta State must work together to ensure that the pitch is used responsibly and that its maintenance is given priority. This will enable the stadium to continue to host football and other events for years to come.
Key points
- The renovation of the Warri City Stadium pitch cost a significant amount of money and requires a sustainable maintenance culture to preserve the playing turf.
- Using the pitch for social events outside football will cost N12million to repair.
- The pitch's renovation includes a robust four-level drainage system engineered to combat regional flooding and waterlogging during heavy rainfall.
