You will also have read this week that progress continues to be made towards the installation of an AGP and the club is now finalising the details of the project with the RFU.
The development of the clubs facilities is in three clear stages:

1. Build a 4 Changing Room block
2. The installation of the AGP
3. The refurbishment of the clubhouse

The New Changing Rooms

We very much welcome Pete Howard to the team in his role as the club’s Facilities Manager and Dennis Emson who will mainly be working with Alan Lord on managing the cash flow for the project.

Work on the construction of the new changing rooms will is expected to begin on the 27th February with a target date for completion of the 31st July next year.
In advance of the start date a team of volunteers led by Derrick Belcher has begun clearing the woodland near the existing containers which will be relocated nearer to the training area. As a temporary measure the orange container and the kit container will be moved to an area by the garage.
Other work includes building a concrete base for the gas tanks which need relocating as well as digging a new trench for the gas pipe.
As you will see from the photo, considerable progress has been made and as work continues we will keep you updated on further progress.

Bob Essex and Chris Wright are liaising with both the RFU and Sport England to provide the final details these bodies require in order to release the grant and loans monies and Bob continues to research additional grant opportunities. This week he received an additional grant of £2000 from the Gatwick Airport Community Trust.

The build, which is being undertaken by Sports Clubhouses Ltd will cost £425,000 including VAT and is now fully funded. In addition there is a contingency fund set aside for additional work we may undertake such as the installation of a new water supply and an upgraded waste water and sewage system.

On that basis fund raising by the club for the new changing rooms will now stop and the future focus will be targeted on raising funds for the refurbishment of the clubhouse, the third phase of the development strategy.