A summary of what the Almscliffe Tennis and Bowling Club are hoping to achieve:
Project Overview: Requirement for a new pavilion; site landscaping, including resurfacing of 2 existing tennis courts; ideas for alternative use/refurbishment of old pavilion: The project requires consultation with local planning office, presentation of design to the committee and then club members (probably in Feb 2009), submission of plan and subsequent project management with choice of contractors, all within a budgetary constraint of £100,000. I can also provide you with our initial Fund Raising Literature, details of the recent survey and photos of the Rufford Bowling Club, which shows features that may be considered, should you be interested in the project. We would anticipate starting the build in September 2009 to finish April 2010.
Profile of Membership: The Tennis section has about 150 members, which includes 40 junior members aged from 6 to 14. Unfortunately, other than the junior section, the adult members are relatively inactive, with no competitive internal leagues or friendly team matches. It is hoped that we can reverse this trend by an improvement to facilities and a more proactive approach. The Bowling section has about 50 active members, aged from 14 to 86, with 5 teams (including 2 veteran teams), playing in the Harrogate and District League, during the spring/summer. Improved facilities would continue the trend of attracting new members and enable the Club to host higher profile league competitions.
Looking Forward: In time, we would consider adding a third tennis court and/or multipurpose playing area with flood lighting for both tennis and bowling activities. This would be subject to demand, planning permission and available funding. Also, the facilities may be opened up for use by the North Rigton Primary School and to host corporate events.
Initial Wish List: Any new pavilion should be an integral part of the tennis and bowling facilities, seating up to 30 people, have reasonable kitchen facilities, 2 toilets (including disabled) and secure storage for all furniture, grass cutting machinery and other club equipment. We would also consider an outside covered barbeque area, to include seating and an area for drinks distribution and/or small band. We do not need an internal bar, due to the proximity of Almscliffe Hall. A covered walkway/veranda could also be considered to accommodate scorers, during the weekly team bowling matches. Other facilities might include a hidden area for grass cuttings, a covered Boules Pit and external security lighting. Although we do not need changing facilities, this may be included in the design but then put to an alternative use. There is also a large build pile of grass cuttings and an old shed that can be removed. Covered seating areas could also be incorporated around the bowling green together with the refurbishment/alternative use of the existing pavilion, although it could be dismantled – also there is an existing septic tank.
Access/Land Constraints: Limited access to the site through a tunnel walkway, under the railway line, should be taken into account. Drainage is also an issue with partial flooding of the Western border of the Bowling Green (from the raised railway line) and to the East of the existing tennis courts, an area that may be considered for future development, to include additional hard court facilities as mentioned previously.
Final Point: The above should be seen as a guide to what is required, as the development committee is keen to keep an open mind regarding pavilion sighting, design, materials used (stone vs. brick vs. wood) and site landscaping in order to achieve the best long term solution for the ATBC, within planning and budgetary constraints.
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