How Dura-Sport defy the odds to build cricket facilities in winter

Dura-Sport expert Tim Laxton gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how the company delivers quality cricket facilities even when Mother Nature has other plans

PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

Every groundstaff member knows the ideal construction window: dry weather, mild temperatures, predictable conditions.

But the reality? Cricket clubs often secure funding in autumn, have grant deadlines to meet, or need facilities ready for early season training. Winter construction isn't ideal, but it's often necessary.

For Dura-Sport, this means working when most competitors down tools for the season. It's not the easy option, but it's the commitment we make to clubs who are counting on us.

Our installation teams are directly employed by Dura-Sport. They're experienced specialists who understand that taking shortcuts in winter will create problems that won't show up until summer - when it's too late.

A winter project that should take three weeks might stretch to six. We build that reality into our planning and communicate clearly with clubs. The timeline might extend, but the quality standards don't flex.

Our systems are ECB-approved, and that approval comes with specific installation requirements. Trying to "work around" winter conditions to speed things up would void those approvals and compromise performance. Not worth it.

We’ve learned plenty from the trenches about winter construction, so here’s some further advice.

Plan for reality, Not ideal conditions. Winter projects need contingency time built in. We'd rather under-promise and over-deliver than leave clubs waiting for promised completion dates that were never realistic.

Communication is everything. Clubs understand weather delays—what frustrates them is silence. We provide regular updates, explain what we're waiting for, and give realistic expectations about what happens next.

Some battles aren't worth fighting. Occasionally, we've had to tell clubs that starting construction before spring simply isn't feasible. Yes, it delays their project. But it's better than delivering a facility that won't perform properly for its 20-year lifespan.

Quality takes persistence. There have been days when our teams could have pushed through and completed work in marginal conditions. We didn't. Every time we chose to wait for proper conditions, we were protecting the club's investment and our reputation.

Dura-Sport has been constructing and maintaining cricket facilities throughout the UK for over 25 years. Their ECB-approved systems and in-house installation teams deliver consistent quality regardless of the season. For more information, visit www.dura-sport.co.uk or call 0116 2813200.