It was a very special night in Keswick Rugby Club’s long history when individuals and local businesses who had donated to the Big Build project were invited to a pre-opening preview evening.
The club’s committee felt it pertinent that the significant donors, whose generosity had also been recognised with paving slabs on the terrace or around the bar, were the first to be shown around before the doors were officially opened to the public on May 9/10.
The evening on April 24 started with a drinks reception and a chance for the donors to enjoy Bar 1879, the main club room. The first impressions were overwhelmingly positive and many were commenting on the standard of the finish that had been achieved and the decor.
These comments were well received by Liz Weightman, Ann Smith and Louisa Burton who were responsible for much of the interior design. At the same time donors took the opportunity to find their paving slab and they had great pride in photographing family members and colleagues in front of their slab on the terrace overlooking the pitch.
Club president Tim Green welcomed everyone to the club and in a short speech started by praising the work of the Big Build committee including Carrick Wharmby, Ann Smith, Norman Wilson, David Thomas, Andy Wallace, Louisa Burton and Ian Burton for their hard work and dedication to the project.
He said: “We owe an enormous debt of gratitude to these individuals who have committed over 12 months of their lives to create this incredible facility to benefit the local community and our club members.”
Tim then moved on to thanking the invited guests for their invaluable contributions. It was explained how there was a line in the build budget for these donations but when the build had commenced how the money pledged was significantly less than this target.
He touched on concerning times during the build when the donations coming in were less than expected but as the build progressed and watershed moments were reached, including; being granted planning permission, the demolition of the old clubhouse, the erection of the steel and fitting the roof, the money started to come in.
At one point Tim reflected that there were conversations about renovating the tired furniture from the old clubhouse to fit into the new space, but the relief came as the frequency of the donations increased and the budget was reached. It was stressed how the high level of the finish within the clubhouse could only have been achieved with the generosity of everyone in the room and those unable to attend.
Guests were then able to explore the club house and members of the general committee and Big Build committee hosted the show round and answered questions. For everyone who had worked so hard during the build this was a highlight of the evening, to see the clubhouse full and to hear all the wonderful and positive comments.
After the event Tim said: “It was an absolute pleasure and an honour to be able to host this group of community minded individuals and local businesses who had contributed so much. Looking around the room there was such a diverse mix including families who had enjoyed a connection with the club over several generations but equally there were people who’d previously had little involvement with the club but obviously appreciated what we do in the town and recognised the club as a local asset.
“Thanks to their pledges we have been able to build a great clubhouse that will benefit club members and the community in the future.”
While the doors of the clubhouse are now open, the club is preparing for the official opening on May 9 and 10 which promises to be a festival of rugby, family fun, guest speakers, music, celebration and the cutting of the ribbon by local legend and England rugby player, Abbie Ward.
