Well it's the Eve of the Inspired Pavilion Project, sitting here hoping I've ticked all those boxes and the project will start tomorrow as planned. Constantly going over things in my head, planning, Building Regs, CDM Regulations, can we improve disabled access, will the fundraising take off, budgets, where can I get a fridge from, £420 for a clock, service connections, fencing; these are just a few items which are keeping me busy.
Planning was approved last Tuesday, HSE notified last Saturday and our initial payment has been forwarded for Building Regs / Inspection. Based on a pre-project visit certain areas have been readied for an initial inspection, existing lintels, surface water drains and existing foundations.
After analysing 4 tenders for the main construction, we have opted for local company Kirk Developments to undertake the work and it's hoped work will commence tomorrow (although looking at the forecast this is doubtful!). The timescales are quite tight, but we hope to have the building ready for final decoration in time for the ECB Natwest Cricket Force weekend in April (6th/7th). Cricket Force is a fantastic opportunity for volunteers and businesses to get involved in our project, all you need is some old clothes, a paintbrush and a few hours to spare. Local Clubs and Societies wouldn't survive without volunteers; from the Club President, to the Juniors and their parents we all need do our bit to keep the Club operating. More details on general volunteering and roles will be detailed in my Development blog which will be available soon.
First job for me this week is to send off the final pre payment information to Sport England. For the project I will be acting as Project Manager, QS and CDM Coordinator. It will take up a lot of my time, but all my efforts will be rewarded when the project is complete and the first teams get to use the facilities. In all honesty, providing a changing area for the umpires and having toilets will make the biggest difference. No more holding your breath to vist Bill's Bog and no more trouserless umpires in the tea room trying to hide their dignity from the tea ladies.
Once Kirk Developments get underway, all the info has been sent off to Sport England and the Building Inspector is happy; I can hopefully relax a little.
In coming weeks, I'll be forwarding letters to a number of local businesses and organisations to gauge support for the project. The letters may request for assistance with labour, materials, marketing, advertising, or just a general letter to say "Can You Help". We can offer great sponsorship and advertising deals in return, including playing shirt sponsorship, board or banner sponsorship, match ball sponsorship, website sponsorship, the list goes on. We are also prolific when it comes to social networking, with our own Facebook page and club website; we have in excess of 900 followers on Twitter and of course there's my new limited blogging skills. We hope that the project itself will also generate a lot of interest from the local community, media, ECB and other sporting bodies.
If any businesses would be interested in sponsorship then please get in touch with me HERE, or contact our new Club Secretary Tom Hodgson and we can set up a meeting to discuss options.
As mentioned in my previous blog entry, we are erecting an honours board in the modernised pavilion and all those who have donated £50+ of donations or services will have their names present. I'm still reading up on the in's and out's of CASC, but we hope to establish an online giving site to allow for donations to be processed easier. This would allow the Club to receive Gift Aid on upto 80% of the donations, each of which the Club would receive an extra 25% thanks to Gift Aid. This will make donating simple for all, especially those of our supporters who no longer live local to the ground.
I will provide a link as soon as possible for our giving site, once myself and the Club Treasurer have discussed further. Details will also be posted on the Club website, Facebook page, via Twitter and emailed to our mailing list.
Thanks for reading, I promise the next blog will have a few pictures and it'll be along soon.
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