Work begins on new artificial pitch at Maidenhead Rugby Club
Sportsdesk • Published 13 Jun 2012 11:42
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(l-r) Royal Borough environment officer Kevin Mist, councilor Simon Dudley and Maidenhead RFC chairman John Wanklyn (in cab). 123641.
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MAIDENHEAD Rugby Club are setting new standards by becoming the first club in the country to boast an artificial pitch.
Work on a groundbreaking 13-week buiilding project at Braywick has already begun and will make Maids the envy of clubs up and down the country when completed.
The £575,000 scheme - funded by the Royal Borough through developer contributions and by the Rugby Football Union (RFU), Capital Investment Fund (CIP) - will mean better opportunities for rugby training and development for the entire community.
Contractors Greenfields have now moved onto the first team pitch at Braywick Sports Ground and the astro turf will be ready for the start of the new season in September.
Counciler Simon Dudley, cabinet member for adult and community services, said: "This is a brilliant project and a great legacy for the Olympic year.
"The pitch will enable many more teams to practice on the Braywick site, allowing greater involvement in the sport by people of all ages and abilities."
Dudley thanked the RFU for its generous contribution of £240,000 towards the cost, adding: "This is a partnership venture that will bring tremendous benefits to rugby in the Royal Borough."
Dave Stubley, RFU South West funding and facilities manager, said: "This is an exciting partnership between the RFU, the council and Maidenhead RFC and will provide great and increased opportunities for rugby development, the club and the wider community."
Maidenhead RFC chairman and chief executive John Wanklyn added: "The new pitch will allow the club to continue to grow and enable us to improve performance at all levels.
"We have a fantastic junior section which will really benefit from access to the floodlit all-weather pitch and we look forward to what we are confident will be a resurgence of enthusiasm for the sport in the local area."
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