Upgraded pavilion opened at Dundrum

Upgraded pavilion opened at Dundrum

7 June 2023

DUNDRUM Cricket Club’s newly refurbished clubhouse was officially opened on Friday evening.

The club was delighted to welcome DAERA representatives, local councillors, club sponsors and members. 

This re-opening was the culmination of a project started back in mid 2021 and which was supported by DAERA grant funding, the club’s wonderful sponsors and many volunteer hours from club members.

Since the end of the 2021 season the clubhouse has undergone extensive renovation over two phases. 

The first phase involved a complete renovation of the kitchen, construction of a women’s changing room and the redecoration of the tea-room.  These facilities were open last season, but that was only the start of this two-year project. 

The second phase commenced at the end of last season with eight members attending an extensive on-line course run by DAERA to learn about grant applications, project management and delivery and the subsequent management of the enhanced facility. 

Between October and December these volunteers attended online training sessions and completed workbooks to qualify Dundrum for the Rural Halls Refurbishment Grant that the club required to assist in funding the works.  The volunteers all gained an OCN qualification in Developing and Managing Community Facilities. 

With planning approved the renovation work started on site in February with Lomac Construction Ltd doing the work.

The interior was reorganised, allowing better use of the available space without having to extend the floorplan.  New toilets were installed to provide facilities for both players and visitors and to reflect the fact that the club now has male, female, and mixed teams. 

Solar panels were added to the south-facing clubhouse roof. These provide an environmentally friendly way for the club to power the clubhouse when it is most used in the summer months.  The panels also provide power to heat water for post-match showers.  This investment will reduce utility bills in an environmentally and sustainable way.

The area immediately to the front of the clubhouse has been pathed to provide a better surface for players and supporters, level access to the clubhouse and new seating across the front of the building, all enhancing the facility and the experience for all who visit the club.

Underlying the fact that this work is about securing the future of Dundrum Cricket Club, two junior members made speeches to welcome guests, sponsors, volunteers and members to the re-opening.

James Macauley, captain of the U-15 side that played a match against Holywood U-15s immediately after the ceremony, welcomed Pauline Donaldson, the Rural Halls Refurbishment Scheme Programme manager who was representing DAERA to officially open the clubhouse. James also outlined the work entailed in the whole project.

He was followed by Luke Stafford, the U-15 wicketkeeper, who thanked John Lowry from Lomac Construction Ltd for the excellent refurbishment works, all the club’s sponsors whose support is vital in allowing us to develop the facilities as the club has, and the volunteers whose time is vital to deliver these projects which allow the club to grow and prosper.

Luke made special mention of Stephen Calvert, club member, groundsman and a key force behind the development of Dundrum Cricket Club over recent years.  Stephen initiated the grant application in 2021 and was the lead for the project. 

Ms Donaldson noted the commitment from club volunteers to attend and successfully pass all the training requirements before going on to deliver the project. She then officially opened the refurbished clubhouse and invited all present to view the completed works.  

Whilst guests, sponsors, members and parents viewed the much-improved facility, refreshments were served in the tea-room as the U-15s warmed up to play their match against Holywood.  

A club spokesperson said: “Dundrum Cricket Club now has a fantastic clubhouse that is fit for purpose and allows all our teams — senior, junior, male, female and mixed — to prepare for and play the numerous matches that happen each week through the summer. 

“But it is also a hub for the community and the club welcomes other local clubs that need occasional use of this sort of space to get in touch.”

The spokesperson added: “Dundrum Cricket Club welcomes new members and, through its work with local schools, is actively trying to encourage more local children to try cricket as a sport.

Primary age children train at the club on Wednesday evenings, with U-13s and U-15s training on Monday evenings. Come along and get involved.