Coleshill Cricket Club in Warwickshire has officially opened its new pavilion after receiving a £74k grant from HS2’s Community & Environment Fund (CEF). An established part of the local community since 1854, the club has catered towards local sport groups over the last 150 years.
The project has led to improvements to facilities across the site. The main room has been extended and bar moved, kitchen facilities have been upgraded, a bi-fold entrance has been installed and an area at the front of the pavilion has been fenced off for safer access to the building.
“Coleshill Cricket Club provides a vital service to the local community by ensuring that quality sport facilities remain accessible to local people,” said Cathy Elliott, Independent Chair of the HS2 Funds.
“By investing in facilities now, the club is showing their continued commitment to encouraging the next generation to take up Cricket, and I’m glad that we can provide funding to such a worthwhile cause.”
David Phillips, Treasurer and Project Manager of the Pavilion upgrade, added: “The grant from HS2, alongside other funding we managed to secure, has ensured some sustainability for the club, and will hopefully help us to establish ourselves as a community hub, focussing primarily on cricket, but also on all aspects of the Coleshill community.
“The changes made to the lounge and bar are mind-blowing, totally changing the dynamic of the main club room. This, with the addition of a long sought after new patio area and kitchen has made the pavilion welcoming and open to families and the general community, and a much more ambient place to sit and watch the cricket.
“All at Coleshill CC want this upgrade to be a positive step forward for both the club and community. We have already received many positive comments from the community and an increase in people using the facility. The turnout for our open event was just amazing and it was great to see so much of the local community supporting us and lots of children running around enjoying themselves!”
The new kitchen and extended hall will also mean the club can now cater to larger community events alongside continuing to encourage young people to get involved in the sport. The club also hopes that the improved pavilion will encourage more girls to take up the sport, particularly through their mixed gender sessions.
As construction of HS2 gets underway, applications for the funds are still being welcomed. The Funds for Phase One, independently administered by the charity Groundwork UK, are designed to support urban and rural, community, environmental and business projects.
Image credit: HS2
