An outline plan to extend the existing cricket pavilion in Fitz Park found favour with members of Keswick Town Council’s parks trust.
In February, The Keswick Reminder reported that the town’s cricket club had unveiled plans to enlarge its clubhouse, allowing it to be used for a wider range of activities such as fitness classes and meetings.
The plans are very much in their embryonic stages but it is estimated the cost of the expansion will be in the region of £400,000.
The existing pavilion was built in 1995 and is a shared facility with Keswick Athletic Club on a recently extended lease with the town council which runs until April 2047. The success of both clubs since the pavilion was built is now generating a need for improved space and facilities.
The plans were presented to the parks trust so that the clubs could request approval in principle to allow detailed plans to be developed to enable an application for planning permission.
It would also enable the club to obtain costs for the work and facilitate the start of fundraising.
The following is proposed:
- Additional changing room facilities to cater for expanding junior and ladies’ teams. Four changing rooms were provided for dual use in the original building. Over time the end two changing rooms have been taken up for other uses – scorers provision and internal storage. The proposal is to bring these two changing rooms back into use by building a small extension at each side to provide the displaced provision for scorers and internal storage and including umpires changing and a first aid room.
- A larger central club room to cater for the increased needs on match days and social use for both clubs. Additional space is needed to cater for Keswick Athletic Club’s races which can attract entries of 200 plus.
- The kitchen area and bar will be relocated with a purpose-built bar store to replace the existing metal storage container.
- Additional storage space is needed by both clubs for essential equipment.
Both clubs are aware of the flood risk status of the existing building which does now incorporate demountable flood barriers across all door openings.
Consideration was given to the option of building a new facility raised above the 2015 flood levels. But this would require a different site to enable cricket to continue and creates practical difficulties for regular use. It would also be considerably more expensive and would be wasteful of the building and facilities already in the existing pavilion.
The plans were presented to a meeting of Keswick Town Council’s parks trust whose members were said to be impressed with the plans put forward.
“We wish to inform you that we fully support you moving to the next stage with more detailed plans being drawn up to put before the trust,” said the parks trust in its response.
“As you are aware we are doing our part to make the parks carbon neutral by 2030 and the trustees request that the cricket club looks at making the building as energy efficient as possible with the opportunity you have with the new extension.”
