A series of delays , not helped by the pandemic , ensued but in 2023 work on building the new stadium commenced in earnest . Due to rising costs , plus the urgent need for Cray to begin playing at the venue , it was decided to develop Flamingo Park in two phases . Therefore , plans to build a main stand on the north side of the ground that would have housed dressing rooms and a bar have been put on hold , meaning a stay of execution for the old pavilion . First to be completed at Flamingo Park was the 3G pitch , along with four LED floodlight masts , one at each corner . Though Cray had been present at Flamingo Park for a while , with the outside pitches enjoying plenty of use from Cray ’ s many age group sides , the first match on the main stadium pitch on 4 February 2024 saw Cray Wanderers Women play Oakwood Women in a South East Counties League Division One match . Though still partially a building site , with the main stand yet to be completed , it was an historic occasion for Cray Wanderers and gave those who attended the match a glimpse of what to expect in 2024 / 25 .
In the light of Bromley ’ s promotion to the EFL and the loss of Cray ’ s berth at Hayes Lane , the priority has been to get Flamingo Park up to Step Three standard as quickly as possible . This has entailed a scaling back of the original plans , at least for the time being . Therefore , the exiting pavilion has been upgraded , with new dressing rooms and new outside catering facilities , plus the restoration of the upstairs viewing gallery . Slightly elevated and set back from the pitch , the pavilion is a characterful building and acts as a pleasing counterpoint to the shiny modernity of the rest of the ground . Two layers of concrete terracing lead down from the pavilion to the goal line , with further strips of terracing at the golf course end and to the side of the stand . A key figure in securing Flamingo Park and piloting Cray Wanderers ’ journey from the Kent League to their present position in the Isthmian League Premier Division has been the club ’ s chairman Gary Hillman .
6