Published: November 6, 2008
Burnham-On-Sea rugby club HQ given £10,000 funding boost

Bosses at Burnham-On-Sea Rugby Club are celebrating this week after being handed an early Christmas present of £10,000 towards a new modernisation project.

The club has received the grant funding from Burnham County Councillor Mike Facey, who allocated the funds from Somerset County Council's Local Initiatives Budget.

BASC Ground treasurer Peter Gaylard told Burnham-On-Sea.com the money will "significantly help" the club's plans to extend and modernise the BASC headquarters (pictured above).

"We are delighted and very grateful by this donation. We desperately need extra, modern changing rooms as our current ones are in such a poor condition and are out of date. We approached Mr Facey about funding and are very pleased about the amount of funding we're to get."

"We have several rugby teams here, including several girls teams, but at the moment they have to wait for the boys to leave the changing rooms before using the facilities due to lack of space. This is a great shame given the excellent 35 acres of playing fields that we around us."

The club has set up a special committee to oversee the improvement programme, which is expected to cost in the region of £135,000.

"We're looking to introduce six new changing rooms, three of which will be to RFU standards, and this donation sets the project off to a great start," added Peter, pictured left in one of the out-dated changing areas.

The first phase of the project will be to refurbish one existing changing room and create new toilet facilities for disabled visitors by the spring of 2009 - and the full project is scheduled for completion in 2010.

County Council spokeswoman Elizabeth Kulh confirmed to Burnham-On-Sea.com: "The project involves the development of new changing rooms, showers and toilet facilities at the BASC headquarters off Stoddens Road."

"As BASC is the centre of various club activities, it is hoped that the funding will help in supporting the local community with better facilities. Where possible, materials for the build will be from recycled, re-used and sustainable sources."

Meanwhile, the club is very interested in hearing from local companies and other supporters who may be able to help the modernisation project.