Ambitious fundraising drive helps transform community club in Rugby - brick by brick
A massive fundraising drive has helped breathe new life into a community club in Rugby – brick by brick.
Two years of hard work, dedicated fundraising and a strong belief in themselves, enabled members of Old Laurentian Rugby Club to transform their dilapidated club house into a bright modern facility they can be proud of.
“It was a shell of a building when we started work,” said Club Chair, Simon Rigg.
“We ended up spending half a million pounds on what turned out to be a complete renovation. But the result of all that hard work can be seen. It was worth it and the members love it.
“And we’re not finished yet.”
Sponsors were invited to ‘buy a brick’, costing £250 each.
"The idea of nominating a brick to raise money came from a committee meeting,” said Simon.
“To date we have sold more than 200 bricks at £250 a time. Each brick has the name of the sponsor etched into the surface in gold.”
Club member Stewart Birch who is a former player and club captain, played a leading role in the initial design and planning of the work.
As a builder he was able to contribute his skills and expertise to ensure the work at the Lime Tree Avenue club in Bilton was carried out to the highest standard and specification of the design.
Joining the party was a special guest who had travelled all the way from Florida to join the celebrations.
Todd Classon has been supporter of the Ols for many years and has made a generous contribution to fund raising campaign. He expressed his delight at being among friends and having the opportunity to make new friends.
Founded in 1919, the club has been a staple of the local sporting community for over a century.
Run entirely by volunteers, the facility supports over 70 adult players, nearly 360 age-grade youth players, and more than 100 additional members.
Like most rugby clubs around the country, Old Laurentian fixtures have been cancelled due to the unsafe condition of playing surfaces. But there is an expectation that with milder weather forecast, the ground conditions will improve and planned fixtures can commence.