Home and dry

There has been a huge amount of work taking place at the grounds since our last update, with the main focus being on the clubhouse. December saw the building finally watertight with the completion of the curtain wall, windows, external doors, and roof. After a few days rest over Christmas it was full steam ahead for all trades, with the underfloor heating laid across the whole of the first floor and the screed finished.

A scaffolding rig was installed inside to allow access to the double height ceilings for completion of the plastering, painting and electrics. Giving an incredible sense of scale to the room.

The kitchens have been fitted on both floors, with a serving hatch to the concourse on the ground floor and a full kitchen upstairs allowing food service to the clubhouse.

We were incredibly lucky to receive a Howdens Game Changer Grant through the FA which enabled us to fit out the large first floor kitchen and receive a great discount on the ground floor kitchen. We’ve added stainless steel worktops and splash backs to future proof the kitchens.

Some of our volunteers are overjoyed with the new kit room, which is all ready for washers and driers to be installed so kit wash can finally be done in house!

Great progress has been made on the ground floor, with showers and sanitary wear installed in all changing rooms and officials rooms and the medical room fitted out. Our brilliant team of local contractors are working so hard on site and all trades are near to completion.

This week we have seen the balcony railings completed, handrails and ironworks installed in the stairwells, first floor screeds prepped ready for the flooring to be laid, internal doors fitted, painting and more painting, toilet cubicles fitted, plumbing and electrics almost finished and bar fixtures & fittings confirmed ready for installation.

With the completion of external drainage works and utilities connected we are pushing ahead with the last sections of hard landscaping outside, including disabled parking bays, the concourse, the last remaining fencing, gates, and turnstiles. Tree planting and soft landscaping is taking shape throughout the site as we say hello to spring sunshine at last.

We can finally see the finish line on the horizon…just add cold beer and we’re almost home and dry!