More than 90 people came from far and wide to see the work that is going on at Keswick Rugby Club to transform the Davidson Park clubhouse and playing facilities.
An open day last Saturday proved very successful with small groups being given a tour of the Big Build project which is costing £1.9m and is a response to a series of flooding episodes that had seen various levels of water swamping the old clubhouse causing major clean up exercises.
It was also an opportunity for the club to thank everyone for their support and generous donations. On the day the club sold seven inscribed internal and external paving stones at £1,000 each and another at £5,000. A further £400 plus was raised through the sales of teas and coffees.
Project manager Carrick Wharmby said it was a very successful day with people coming not just from Keswick but also Cockermouth and others visited while on holiday in the area.
“The day was organised to generate a bit of interest and to keep people involved. It is a community project after all,” said Carrick. “Hopefully those who came along will feel part of the build now. “We had people visit us from just across the road as well as relatives of former players.”
Through its fundraising efforts the club has raised around £115,000, but there have also been generous grants from various organisations such as Keswick Town Council and Keswick Lions. On top of that one man has pledged to match fund £100,000 and a couple have made a donation of £50,000.
Carrrick said that the building is only weeks away from being sealed ahead of works starting on the electrics, plumbing and ventilation. It is hoped that if the finances are in the bank then the work will be completed in March.
“It was a good team effort on Saturday,” said Carrick. “We had a nucleus of 10 people from various sub committees who helped out with everything.”
