FURTHER improvements are being carried out to improve facilities at Barnard Castle FC’s Tens Field ground.
Work has begun to extend the club’s changing rooms.
It is the latest in a series of projects which have transformed the playing surface and ground facilities since the club moved to Tens Field from its former home at Shaw Bank.
Barnard Castle FC plays in the first division of the Wearside League and chairman John Close said the idea was to ensure thr ground was up to scratch should the club win promotion to the premier division – step seven in the football pyramid.
“The home and away changing rooms are being extended. There will be three showers in each changing room along with toilets and there will also be disability access.
“It’s all to meet ground grading requirements. We are trying to get promoted to the premier division, but it’s pointless if we don’t have the ground facilities in place,” he said.
The work is costing almost £45,000. Barnard Castle’s four county councillors are contributing £15,000 from their neighbourhood budgets and the club received a £17,800 grant from the Football Foundation.
An online fundraising effort carried out through Sport England added another £6,000 to the kitty and the club is waiting to hear if an application for the final £5,000 to the County Durham Community Foundation is successful.
If not, the balance will be met from club funds.
Mr Close said he hoped the changing room extension would be completed within weeks and be in use as the current season progresses.
The Tens Field ground is almost unrecognisable since the football club leased the pitch from Barnard Castle Town Council, which manages the ground on behalf of the National Playing Fields Association.
Improved drainage of the playing surface was installed and the overgrown border around the ground cut back and new flowers planted thanks to volunteer gardener Robert Furness and former manager Geoff Thwaites.
A £15,000 car park was installed using a hard standing surface which allows the grass to grow through it and a new boundary fence has been erected.
