Grantham Venue Partnership

Does this suggest the current Grantham Gorse Lane facilities are inadequate?

Yes it's a rhetorical question, of course they're not up to scratch, why would they be, a club ground with basic club facilities at an outpost in a (lovely) rural location; why would they need all the facilities associated with a professional team...

Yes this writer has a problem with the choice of venue for 3rd May 2019

1. Its timing, on a Friday
2. Its location, not somewhere you could pop to after work on a Friday
3. Its location, if by somekind of miracle every Notts member was able and willing to attend, the place couldn't cope - that's public transport, car parking, the local minor roads, the field where the game is being played 
4. Its location, it is not in Nottinghamshire, which doesn't seem to bother some but hey-ho, each to their own opinion
5. It's unnecessary, it could be played at Trent Bridge, there are 2 weeks before the ODI with Pakistan

Of course it's all about testing the faciities for future years when there will be a clash at Trent Bridge due to the still unnamed Hundred team hosting games at Notts HQ

Here's the official, more positive spin

InvestSK, South Kesteven District Council’s economic growth and regeneration company, has been signed as Grantham Cricket Club’s first 2019 corporate partner.

In the year that the Grantham club will host professional cricket for the first time in more than 15 years, InvestSK’s partnership will provide important support regarding the complex arrangements necessary to host a Royal London One-Day Cup fixture in South Kesteven.

Preparations for the match between Notts Outlaws and Durham are now well underway at Grantham Cricket Club, which will be played on Friday 3 May.

The match will see Nottinghamshire take first team cricket to Gorse Lane for the first time after successful Second XI matches at the venue in 2017 and 2018. 

Steve Bowyer, Chief Executive of InvestSK, said: “As the economic growth and regeneration company for South Kesteven, InvestSK is committed to encouraging sports development and inspiring new audience participation across the district.

“Our partnership with Grantham Cricket Club will allow us to promote the sport of cricket and motivate a wider audience to consider playing, especially women and children which is a key part of the Council’s drive to support cultural growth.

“Over the next 12 months InvestSK’s new Sports Development Officer will be working closely with Grantham Cricket Club to support our public consultation for South Kesteven’s new cultural strategy, helping to develop new relationships with cricket groups and teams across the District.”

Councillor Helen Goral, Cabinet Member for Growth and Communications at South Kesteven District Council, said: “We’re developing an exciting new cultural strategy that supports the Council's ambitious growth plans for the District.

“The contribution of stakeholders and residents is an important part of the process, to ensure a truly representative strategy fit for a new decade of cultural excellence in South Kesteven.

“InvestSK’s new partnership with Grantham Cricket Club will enable deeper engagement with the sporting world and I look forward to seeing new relationships formed and wider cricket participation during the coming months.

“The club is at an important stage of development, with big plans to create a new indoor centre and third pitch to make Gorse Lane an outstanding centre for cricket in the East Midlands, so I am pleased the Council and InvestSK is able to provide support at this exciting time.”

Grantham Cricket Club Chairman Ian Mihill said: “I am delighted that InvestSK has decided to work with us as we host professional cricket for the first time. 

“Working closely with Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club, InvestSK and Lincolnshire County Cricket Board, we look forward to delivering a successful event and take this opportunity to invite cricket fans in and around the district to come along.

“Hosting county cricket is no small undertaking for what is effectively a local cricket club, so the support and expertise of InvestSK is hugely valued and will make a real difference. We very much hope that the local community will support us on the day.”