YOUNG rugby players in Tredworth need to raise more than £8,000 so work can begin on planning and eventually building a new club house.
Tredworth Rugby Club needs to raise an initial £8,000 for the planning application, design and council and solicitors fees.
The community will also be able to benefit from the new facilities, which will be named the Tredworth Rugby Football Community Club, as the aim is for it to serve players, but also youngsters and the nearby residents.
They will be able to hire out the hall, which will be based at the ground at The Lannet, King Edwards Aveune.
Managing director Reg Daldry said: "We will also apply for grants from sporting charities such as Sport England. We want the clubhouse to also be used as a community space, so events and resident meetings can take place there. We had a meeting with residents last year, more than 12,000 people are supporting the idea and we only had 23 objections.
"There is a need for this in the area, youngsters have nowhere to go since the youth centre, Star 66, closed.
"At the moment the club has a building which is used as changing rooms but it needs repairing. It is a hazard, because it leaks."
The plans include two main halls for meetings and fitness classes, two bars, showers and a venue hall for weddings and small functions.
The club, which was founded in 1904, has been searching for a solution for years and in 2001, when the club was under threat to its existence, members held an emergency meeting where a decision was made not to fold the club. But the changing rooms roof, built in the late 1980s, has had problems for at least 10 years.
Mr Daldry said: "Once the weather is better we can start to organise community and sport events. The new club will also be open to people who want to run classes such as zumba, crèches or general fitness classes.
"This is a deprived area so the club house is a massive piece to the jigsaw.
"Delroy Ellis is also supporting the campaign and is keen to run his office from here."
Pat Scannell, chair of the Tredworth Estate Tenants and Residents Association is supporting the idea.
He said: "It is fantastic that they still want to go ahead, they have been trying for so long to raise the money for the new clubhouse. I wish them the best."
To make a donation, contact the club on info@rezign.co.uk.
