The existing clubhouse – parts of which date back to 1924 – will be knocked down next week, with the new modern facility in place for the start of the 2016 season.
A final match was played in front of the pavilion at Pennington Lane on Saturday, when Lindal defeated Millom in North Lancs and Cumbria Division One.
There were strong emotions among those playing – and officiating, with umpire Eric ‘Bush’ Gardiner a long-time Lindal player, who led them to Lord’s for the Village Cup final in 1977 – on a historic day.
Club vice-chairman and pavilion project manager Paul Clarke, whose dad Terry was also a part of the 1977 team, had a day to remember as he scored 91 in front of the pavilion he has known since he was a child.
He admitted there was some sadness over the impending demolition, but more generally an acceptance that a new structure was needed and would be a boost to the club.
“It was a strange feeling for the last game,” said Clarke. “My dad joined the club in 1964 and played when it was just an old shed.
“For me, I was kind of sad and kind of proud. I’ve been in the pavilion almost since I was born. It is going to be strange to see it knocked down.
“But it needed to be done. It’s very sad, but we’re a club who look forward. It’s going to be good for us.
“We were paying about £1,000 a year, just to patch up the roof and fix little problems. It just got to the point where we were throwing good money after bad and we needed to start again.
“We need to give something back to the community and this can do that. We’re doing it for all the right reasons.”
Lindal have received major grants from the ECB (£85,000, plus a £20,000 loan), Sport England’s Inspired Facilities (£75,000) and WREN – who distribute funds from taxes on landfill sites, such as Bennett Bank, to good causes – (£48,000) to go towards the work.
There were also generous donations from the Baywind Community Fund (£5,000), HB Clark (£6,500), the Cumbria Foundation (£5,000), the Sir John Fisher Foundation (£6,000), the Francis Scott Trust (£4,000) and Cumbria County Council’s Barrow Neighbourhood Forum (£3,000).
Added to that, close to £20,000 has been raised by the club through other initiatives – including a popular Golden Brick scheme, whereby individuals have paid £250 for a plaque to be put up at the ground.
The club have hired Andy Osborne Architectural design to design a modern facility, which will be built by PJ Tremaine, who have a long association with the club.
Lindal is home to the South Lakes Maidens girls cricket teams and they also field Laura Marshall and Emma Griffiths in their senior sides.
At present, there are not suitable facilities for girl and lady cricketers, while umpires have no separate changing room.
The demands from girls teams playing at Lindal was one of the driving forces behind the start of the pavilion scheme and those issues will all be put right with the new build, which will feature new dressing rooms for both teams, umpires and one for ladies on men’s match days.
The building will also be available for community use, with a new function room, bar, kitchen and accessible toilets.
It is hoped construction will be complete by March next year, with the North Lancs and Cumbria League season starting in April.
“The club was really down on its heels about five years ago and we were struggling to make ends meet,” said Clarke, who thanked all the donors, as well as Mike Hughes, Colin Knight and Alistair McDougal for their roles in helping the project progress.
“A lot of work has gone into it and we have been very lucky. We’ve worked hard to put money towards this while we scrimp and save on other things.
“It’s a relief that this bit is over, but the hard work starts now. The demolition starts next week and it will be fantastic for the club – it will give us some real impetus.
“We are a go-forward club.”
The Golden Brick scheme is still open to anyone wishing to help Lindal raise money for the project.
Clarke added: “They will receive a plaque on the wall with an inscription on. We have had some in memoriam, some from parents of juniors and some from local businesses.
“We have a wall of fame which will have the golden bricks on.”
Anyone interested can find more details at www. lindalmcc.co.uk or email lindalmoorcc@yahoo.co.uk
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