Money comes together for Minehead rugby project (From Somerset County Gazette)

Money comes together for Minehead rugby project

2:00pm Monday 4th March 2013 in News By Hannah Green

AN AMBITIOUS redevelopment project at Minehead Barbarians Rugby Club which aims to cater for more players, particularly girls, will ‘definitely go ahead’ after full funding was found.

Work on raising money and putting formal plans together began in earnest 18 months ago, although the idea has been around considerably longer.

Since then the club has raised £50,000 through its own fundraising activities and has received £50,000 from West Somerset Council in the form of planning obligation money and a £50,000 grant from Sport England.

The RFU has invited the club onto its Legacy for 2015 programme and is assisting with the remaining money needed for the project, expected to cost more than £200,000.

The contract is to be awarded in early March, with ground works set to start immediately and building to take place between May and August when the club is not in use.

Plans include an extension of the clubhouse, an overhaul of the changing rooms and showers and improvements to disabled facilities.

Treasurer Mike Willes said: “We are delighted to say the project will definitely go ahead but we are still sorting out the final details, so I will be even more pleased when it’s all done and paid for!

“So much effort has been putin by so many people connected to the club – even the kids, which is great, because a lot of the reasonthis is being done is for girls’ rugby.

“The improved facilities will benefit everyone who plays here but the kids are the future of the club. Without them it wouldn’t continue, so we have to get them involved when they are young.”

Chairman Grahame Symes added: “A tremendous amount of effort and an awful lot of work has gone into this, not least from our treasurer Mike Willes and secretary Colin Howells.

“We are getting ever closer and it will be a fantastic thing when it’s actually finished. It is something that really needs doing and should make the club something we can all be very proud of. These are really exciting times.”