Barber Praises Albion Maintenance Team

Brighton & Hove Albion’s maintenance team spent much of last Friday and Saturday working around the clock to overcome issues caused by storm Emma, and ensure Sunday’s Premier League fixture with Arsenal could go ahead.

The team, led by Albion’s facilities manager David Baker, and supported by key suppliers and contractors, managed to overcome a number of weather-related issues well ahead of yesterday’s match.

Chief executive Paul Barber explained, “The sub-zero temperatures have presented Dave and his team with significant issues, including numerous locations where pipework and toilets were leaking, frozen and inoperable.

“Over the last few days the maintenance team have been working through these areas using specialist tools to defrost pipework, identifying and repairing leaks.

“There were more than 50 leaks across the stadium, due to the freezing cold weather, all of which have now been repaired and pipework replaced.”

In some cases complete toilet cisterns were frozen solid, while the kiosk fire system and hot water boiler have also been repaired.

Barber added, “The issues have arisen due to the lowest temperatures the stadium has faced since opening, and we will look to see if we can do anything to limit the chances of these issues re-occurring should temperatures fall as low.

“On behalf of everyone at the club, and all Albion fans, I have passed on our thanks to Dave Baker, his team, and our suppliers as they have all done an absolutely outstanding job for us in very difficult conditions.”