Ipoh: The Perak Stadium, currently undergoing significant upgrades, is anticipated to be ready for competitive football matches either in October or November. This timeline is still pending technical confirmation from relevant authorities, according to State Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Sandrea Ng.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Sandrea Ng reported that the project is approximately 95 percent complete. The substantial work already accomplished includes the installation of an underground drainage system, perimeter drains, an automatic sprinkler system, and the planting of Axonopus Putra grass, which was fully installed on July 1. The grass is now in its growth and maturation phase, with its density level reaching between 90 and 92 percent.

Sandrea Ng emphasized that current efforts are concentrated on agronomic care and field finishing tasks. These tasks include grass cutting, fertilizing, moisture and weed control, and patching less dense areas. Additionally, rolling, hollow tining, and topdressing are being performed to ensure the field surface remains uniformly even.

Previously, on March 2, it was announced by Sandrea that the stadium would be ready for use by this month. However, the need to upgrade the sprinkler system, following technical inspections that deemed the original 13-nozzle design insufficient, led to delays. The system was enhanced to 24 nozzles after a joint inspection with Universiti Putra Malaysia, incorporating 360-degree sprinklers at the center and 180-degree sprinklers on the perimeter to ensure even water distribution and protect the running track from getting wet.

Moreover, the project encountered challenges in raising the pitch level with river sand due to supply disruptions linked to rising diesel prices. This affected the operations of sand suction machines and the production and delivery of sand. To overcome this, 30 additional lorries were deployed to transport the necessary sand, achieving the required pitch level and thickness before grass planting commenced.

In terms of project financing, the total cost of upgrading the stadium pitch amounts to RM1,255,740. This comprises RM500,000 from the Ministry of Youth and Sports and RM755,740 from the Ipoh City Council.