Ipswich Rugby Club are hoping to raise around £850,000 to build a new clubhouse, in time for their 150th anniversary in three years time, and are keen to hear from any potential benefactors.
The London 2 side currently pay around £84,000 a year to maintain their current building at Humber Doucy Lane, which is used by the community for functions, parties and seminars, as well as by the club on matchdays and training nights.
Head of catering and grounds, Gordon Ball, said: “We are hoping to build on the same footprint, with a new balcony overlooking the first-team pitch, and facilities for disabled people, because we have nothing like that here.
“We were hoping to move locations as a housing development was earmarked for this area, but that has gone to Henley Road instead.
“We potentially wanted someone to buy the land, our land, so we could move elsewhere to a nice new clubhouse that would provide for other sports too, as just accommodating rugby here is very difficult financially.”
Plans are in the process of being drawn up, the target being for the facility to be built and opened by 2020, but ideally, before then.
The club, which has around 300 youth and junior members, would like to include separate male and female changing facilities, separate shower cubicles and a dedicated medical area in any new build, which would hopefully be two floors high. The club’s is to attract more of the younger generation, whilst keeping existing members at the club.
However, having played as high as London 1 recently, do these plans also signify a shift in ambitions on the pitch with an aim to emulate the likes of Bury St Edmunds or Colchester, who have reached the National League structure in recent seasons?
“We would like to stay as we are as a community club, with the aim of attracting new members,” said Ball
The club can explore applying from grants from different organisations but are also keen to speak to local businesses/benefactors who may be interested in helping to fund the club house project.
Ipswich Rugby Club can be contacted on 01473 724072 or by email - club@ipswichrugby.com
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