Live Long & Prosper...

Well 2012 is now behind us and we at Yarm Cricket Club would like to wish our readers and followers all the best for 2013. Along with many other cricket clubs I'm sure we're just hoping for better weather this year, allowing us all to enjoy more cricket and not having to worry about the covers been on!

2012 has been a really difficult year for many smaller cricket clubs, with loss of fixtures and general lack of interest from members. The weather and loss of fixtures lost Yarm in the region of £1,000. This figure is an approximation of match day revenue, shop profits and subscriptions, which have been lost due to fixture cancellations. This has highlighted the need for clubs to become more prudent, identify new revenue streams, improve those they already have and strive to improve sustainability. Many larger clubs can often offset these losses by benefiting from higher throughput and bar profits.

The modernised pavilion will provide Yarm Cricket Club with a facility which not only fulfils the requirements of the game, but also a facility which can cater for families, spectators and future growth. The pavilion before refurbishment had no hot water, showers, umpires changing or suitable toilet facilities. The addition of these items to the building will mean an increase in running costs, therefore our reliance on revenue will become even more important.

To cover these additional costs we aim to increase participation, playing or volunteering; establish other uses for the building, other sports (rounders, frisbee, etc) or small community groups; improve local business links and levels of sponsorship. When our finances allow it's hoped we can also apply some elements of renewable technology, solar panels, solar water heating, rainwater harvesting, etc. These are just a few of the areas where we are looking to improve, but at the end of the day it will all come down to the support of our members and the community around us.

If you're interested in junior coaching, playing, volunteering, sponsoring or hiring the ground then please get in touch with us at admin@yarmcricketclub.co.uk or visit the website for further details.

So, here's what's been going on this week. Kirk Developments started back on Monday after our festive break and the site was still wet and horrible. First job was to empty the garage of rollers and shelving, then to remove the floor and remove the garage door. Although the picture below doesn't show it, the steel beam is now in place over the new opening, garage door removed and the damp proofing to the front elevation complete. The steel was provided by Carter Steel one of our main sponsors, they've supported the club for many years and it's great to have their product used in the modernisation of the pavilion.

 

Remaining units, fridges, sink, old fire hearth and chimney removed from the kitchen.

 

 



 

 

And finally for this week; the voids around the foundation have been backfilled and the main drainage runs have gone in.

 

 





Tasks for this week include; stoning up around the new extension to improve conditions under foot and provide a suitable surface for scaffolding, removing the wall between the away dressing room and kitchen, remove floors from away dressing room and rectify any damp proofing issues. These actions will leave all areas ready for the concrete floors to be stoned up and poured. The tea room will remain as a timber floor, with air ducts to the rear extended out through the new extension and floor re-boarded throughout.

Disappointingly we're still waiting for our Just Giving site to go live, hopefully it will be sorted in the next week or so and we can start receiving donations. The budget is very tight and at present we're approximately £4k from an all singing all dancing pavilion. The current budget covers all major aspects of the main build (including gas service connection) but does not include for final works, fixtures and fittings such as the pavilion clock, furniture, benches, kitchen wall units, grounds store and access track improvements.

Once the Just Giving site goes live, we will post here, on our website, in our Facebook group, on Twitter and via our mailing list. All support will be greatly appreciated and those persons or businesses who donate in excess of £50 will be added the honours board to be erected in the completed pavilion.

A further update will be provided here next weekend, but for those who cannot wait I'll be tweeting throughout the week @YarmCC.