OFFICIALS at a dale village cricket club are hoping ambitious plans to improve facilities will come to fruition this year after rising costs delayed the project.
An initial scheme to renovate and extend the outdated 40-year-old pavilion at Raby Castle CC was drawn up in 2023 at a cost of about £200,000.
In addition to bringing the pavilion up to date, the club, which is based in the grounds of Raby Castle, was also given the go-ahead to build a storage shed for ground equipment and install new all-weather training nets.
However, before the start of last season, rising costs meant the scheme was put on hold after tenders for the renovation returned well over budget.
Plans to renovate the pavilion were abandoned, with officials opting instead to seek permission to demolish the old wooden structure and replace it with a new facility, which they hope will significantly reduce the cost of the project.
Club secretary Steve Caygill said efforts had continued throughout 2024 to come up with a solution, working with Teesdale Action Partnership and Durham County Council.
But he added: “Disappointingly, we haven’t been able to agree an affordable way forward yet, but we continue to work hard to find a solution.
“The only affordable option at present is knocking down the existing pavilion and building new. We have identified potential suppliers and are awaiting detailed costs… to know what additional funding we might need.”
Raby Estate officials remain supportive of the club’s plans to knock down and rebuild the pavilion.
Mr Caygill said: “We will agree the final design with the estate before re-applying for planning permission. We are looking at a start in April/May or waiting until the end of summer if the estate doesn’t want work ongoing during the spring and summer.”
Despite the delays, the club are pressing ahead with improvements to existing facilities. In autumn 2023, the club launched a successful Crowdfunder appeal for £15,000 to cover the costs of installing electricity.
Mr Caygill said: “Teesdale Renewables are working with our sponsor Electricity North East (ENE) to get the cable installed next week.”
On the field, Raby Castle have two senior teams in the Darlington and District League and a thriving junior section. Next season, the club are entering teams for U9, U11, U13 and U15 in the Durham Cricket Board Junior League.
Junior nets have restarted, 6pm to 7pm for U9 and U11, then 7pm-8pm for the U13 and U15s at Barnard Castle School sports hall. For details, contact Scott Hedley on 07590 537953.
Senior nets are at Longfield Academy on Friday evenings from February 7 until April 25, 7.15pm to 8.45pm. Contact first team skipper Gareth Walton on 07871 645786 for details.
For the first time next season, the club will enter a side in the midweek North East Social League. Games are 20 overs per innings, with batters retiring on 25 and everyone bowling two overs.
Mr Caygill said the games were aimed at social players and to give juniors the chance to play against seniors.
Anyone interested in playing or practising for any of the senior or junior sides is welcome to come along to any of the indoor net sessions.
