The cricket pavilion redevelopment project at Stocksbridge Cricket Club has reached an important milestone, with significant funding secured and the outcome of the planning application expected shortly.
The project has received £15,000 from Sport England to support the build, alongside the original grant 0f £500,000 from the Stocksbridge Towns Fund, representing a major investment in grassroots sport and community facilities in the area.
With planning approval anticipated soon, the club are now seeking the final element of funding needed to complete the project. Plans are in place to launch a community crowdfunding campaign in the New Year, giving local residents, supporters and businesses the opportunity to play a direct role in bringing the new pavilion to life.
The redevelopment will see the club’s existing 100-year-old pavilion, a single-skin structure with inadequate changing facilities, replaced with a modern and inclusive building. The new pavilion will feature ECB-approved changing rooms, improved accessibility, and a hospitality and social space. The space will also be available for wider community use, including birthday parties, meetings and local events, delivering wider benefits to the local community.
In recent weeks, the club have also hosted a public engagement session with local neighbours, giving residents the opportunity to view the plans, ask questions and raise any concerns. This collaborative approach has helped shape the project and ensure it responds positively to the needs of the surrounding community.
Dom Gentlesmith, Treasurer of Stocksbridge Cricket Club, said:
“This project is about securing the future of cricket in Stocksbridge while also creating a facility the whole community can be proud of. The support from Sport England and the Towns Fund is a huge vote of confidence, and we will soon be asking our community to help us take the final step.”
Graham Silverwood, representing the Stocksbridge Towns Fund Board, commented:
“The Towns Fund exists to support transformational projects, and this pavilion does exactly that. It improves sporting infrastructure, creates a flexible community space, and enhances the overall offer of the area. We’re delighted to see the project progressing so positively.”
Stocksbridge Cricket Club will share further details about the crowdfunding campaign and next steps if the planning decision has been confirmed.
