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Cricket club bowled over by plans for new pavilion

Cricket club bowled over by plans for new pavilion

 

Felpham Recreation Ground Aldwick Cricket Club, which had its pavilion destroyed by fire, is set to have it replaced, thanks to great team work between the club and Arun District Council.

Green Manor Building Limited is due to begin work at Felpham Recreation Ground next week to build the new clubhouse, which is expected to be up and running by the start of 2019.

Ian Guppy, from Aldwick Cricket Club, said: “After the fire in 2017 the response from the local community was overwhelming, and we are happy to have got to where we are today.

“The club has been struggling to carry on, and with the stark reality that a club that’s been a part of the community for many years would be forced to fold, this new facility will help secure our future at its current location.

“The new facility will also ensure we can re-introduce our colts set up which will aid the clubs future and help us become a key part of the community again.”

Along with funding from Arun District Council, the project has been supported by more than £10,000 in donations from generous local cricket clubs and members of the public.

Ian added: “We are extremely grateful for all donations received towards the project. We also thank the team at Arun District Council for their continued patience and understanding. They’ve worked tirelessly with us to help get us back on track and we specifically thank Paul Broggi (Property, Estates & Facilities Manager) for his work on the project in seeking the necessary funding to get this project to a conclusion.”

He also thanked Dean Lancaster at construction company Galliford-Try, who embarked on work to refurbish the toilet block at the cricket club as part of a community project. This work is ongoing.

Councillor Stephen Haymes, Arun District Council’s Cabinet Member for Technical Services, said: “We are delighted to be supporting this project to get a new clubhouse for this fantastic cricket club and look forward to seeing the new building fully in use for the start of next year’s cricket season.”

Councillor Paul Wotherspoon, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhood Services, said: “This is a popular recreation ground and we’re very pleased that by helping to fund the new clubhouse, the Council is helping to secure the future of cricket at this location.”