MAJOR EXPANSION OF CLUB'S FACILITIES

For several years the club has been exploring options for upgrading its facilities to cater for an increasingly diverse playing membership and to meet the needs of an expanding and successful rugby club in the 21st century.

In May 2009 plans were submitted and approved for an extension to the clubhouse comprising additional changing and showering facilities for players and referees, new kitchens and an extended clubroom. It was felt that the cost of these additional facilities could be met only with significant external funding. The proposed extension would only meet the club's current needs with little or no scope for future expansion and because of space constraints the layout of the clubhouse would have been less than completely ideal.

Since then the club's Management and Finance Sub-Committee, as part of its general remit, has been engaged in ongoing discussions with interested parties as to how best to deliver improved facilities. The nature of these discussions has had to remain confidential to those directly involved.

The Management and Finance Sub-Committee is however very pleased to announce that the club is working with West Lindsey District Council on a project that would see Market Rasen receive its long-awaited swimming pool as part of a sports and leisure hub to the east of the town with significant expansion potential and which will involve relocation of the rugby club to a new site nearby on the north side of Willingham Road.

If this project comes to fruition the club will have the benefit of significantly expanded playing facilities, including floodlit first team and training pitches together with a new-build clubhouse which will more than adequately meet the club's playing and membership requirements for the foreseeable future whilst maintaining its sound financial footing.

Whilst a broad agreement has been reached with the council, the project is still at an early stage and much work remains to be done by those members of the committee charged with taking the matter forward. Consultation will take place within the club's membership over the forthcoming weeks and months and members can be sure that they will have opportunity to express their views on the relocation scheme as it develops.

Market Rasen and Louth Rugby Union Football Club is in a strong position, not only in terms of the tremendous performance of the first team this season but also the juniors, minis, ladies and, as ever, the social membership. This is an exciting project which represents a major landmark in the club's history and will put it in an excellent position to build on this strength in the coming years.

Management & Finance Sub Committee

Download announcement here.