Maintenance costs revealed for Castle Rushen High School sports fields 

Minister outlines £46k maintenance spend and future repair plans for new school pitches

More than £46,000 was spent maintaining the new sports fields at Castle Rushen High School during 2024, according to new government figures.

Education, Sport and Culture Minister Daphne Caine confirmed the pitches, completed in December 2023, were maintained by the contractor Island Drainage and Groundworks Limited during the 'Defects Correction Period'.

Work included 22 pitch cuts over the growing season, fertilisation, over-seeding, verti-draining, herbicide treatments, repairs, seasonal line-marking, and upkeep of football and cricket facilities.

The Defects Certificate was issued in December 2024, with the Department of Infrastructure taking over mowing in July this year.

Mrs Caine said issues raised during the defects period were addressed, but the school had noted the pitches were firm, meaning ongoing work such as de-compaction, aeration, and top-dressing will be needed to improve grass condition.

She added that corrosion has been found on the football goalpost net support brackets and damage to cricket practice wicket netting, and options for treatment or replacement are being explored.