Douglas Bowl stadium refurbishment begins
- Published
The new pitch surface has been approved by Fifa
Work to transform the King George V Bowl stadium on the Isle of Man is getting under way.
The £3m to carry out the project was agreed by Tywnald last week at its last session before the summer break.
The 3,000-seater floodlit stadium in Douglas is being refurbished in time for the Commonwealth Youth Games which will be held on the island in 2011.
The new improved Bowl is set to host the opening ceremony and the Rugby Sevens.
A new synthetic pitch and seating will be installed as part of the refurbishment.
Project director Mike Ball said it would be a superb venue.
He said: "It's going to be broader, it's going to have more covering, right the way along one side and into the corners, that will give us a fraction under 1,000 covered seats.
"The pitch area will be slightly narrower, as we're going to push it forward to get better viewing lines.
"The synthetic surface is approved by the International Rugby Board for international competition, it is approved by Fifa for football competition, up to and including European Championship level."
Other events will be held at The National Sports Centre and the Villa Marina.