ALTON Rugby Football Club will roll up their sleeves this weekend for the start of the modernisation of their clubhouse in Anstey Park.

Seen as a fitting way to celebrate the club's 90th anniversary in 2014, the refurbishment is the first phase in a £180,000 programme to eventually include an extension to provide a new kitchen, alongside additional facilities, including a wheelchair friendly access, toilet facilities for the disabled, a baby changing area, and a storage area to replace two containers currently located outside the existing building. 

But this is dependent on a grant from the Rugby Football Union (RFU), which is still pending.

The Club has decided to go it alone, and to fund a makeover which will result in the replastering of internal walls and ceiling, and the redecoration of the main clubhouse room, with new timber flooring, a new ceiling and wall lighting, and renewed wiring. New furniture is expected to complete the modern look.

A leading team of Lewis Jones (clubhouse chairman), John Grace (facilities manager), Tom Mills (club chairman) and Charles Clark (president) was formed in early May and they have drawn up a plan of action.

While the services of plasterers, electricians and plumbers have been identified and contracts are in place for the work to be done, the Club will also be asking members to volunteer their help on two work-party weekends.

For full story, see this week's Alton Herald.