Forest Green Rovers: Upgraded CCTV and Control Room Solutions
Forest Green Rovers isn’t an ordinary football club. Implementing the Eco-Management and Audit Scheme (EMAS), they aspire to be the world’s most sustainable football club. The club has an organic pitch, solar panels, and charging points for electric cars and has become completely vegan, the first club to do so in the English Football League.
Each department of the club has spent the summer preparing for the prestigious 2017/2018 season that starts in August.
Project
Due to FA league security and safety regulations that the club must adhere to, a new Control Room and IP CCTV system had to be installed at The New Lawn. As proud sponsors of the club, EESI Group Services Ltd were delighted to be asked to design and complete all works in time for the new season.
Challenges
Regular pre-works consultations and great communication between EESI and the club’s management aided in identifying potential problems prior to the works taking place.
To ensure Forest Green Rovers could participate in the upcoming League 2 season, EESI met stringent FA requirements. Additionally, the Control Room was built to strict building regulations and designed to fulfill security requirements for staff during match days.
Health and safety for everyone involved in the installation was paramount to the success of the works.
The team identified tight timescales due to upcoming pre-season friendlies at the stadium. They had to complete the works without disrupting the team’s schedule and ensure everything was ready in time for the season’s start in August.
The New Lawn’s organic pitch had to go through regrowth before the season started. This limited the lifting equipment available to EESI, as this could potentially damage the pitch and affect the success of the regrowth programme.
Solutions
To accommodate the new Control Room, EESI created an elevated opening in the stadium’s East Stand. This enabled the installation of a UPVC fire-rated viewing area extension.
Staying true to Forest Green Rovers’ sustainable ethos, the Control Room features energy-saving LED lighting and an energy-efficient heat pump air conditioning unit. Additionally, EESI completed the space with a new false ceiling, vinyl flooring, and fresh decoration.
EESI installed 30 IP cameras throughout the stadium, including 27 static and three PTZ (Pan, Tilt, Zoom) units.
This setup met all FA requirements for match-day surveillance.
EESI equipped the Control Room with three PCs—two for CCTV operators and one for overview on monitors
Beyond the Control Room and CCTV installation, EESI carried out additional electrical upgrades across the club.
EESI installed power sockets, repaired lighting, and fitted fire safety doors in the Green Man Bar to high standards.
The HSEQ Manager created and implemented a detailed construction phase plan to ensure full health and safety compliance.
Moreover, EESI used specialist lifting equipment—supplied by partners GT Access—to install the CCTV cameras without damaging the pitch. Thanks to this careful approach, pitch growth continued uninterrupted in time for the new season.
Throughout the project, qualified and experienced EESI Engineers oversaw all phases to guarantee efficient execution and meet the tight deadlines.
Results
EESI completed the project on time, delivering all works professionally, efficiently, and within budget. EESI minimised disruption to the club’s crucial preparations for the upcoming season.
The new Control Room met building regulations and provided clear stadium views for security staff to monitor fans.
EESI congratulates Forest Green Rovers on their promotion to the Football League and wishes them success in 2017/2018.
We thank GT Access for their ongoing support in supplying access equipment to our valued customers.