Cambridge plans on course for new campaign

Clubhouse extension works on track at Volac Park

There has been no resting up at Cambridge Rugby Club this off-season.

While the campaign may have finished at the end of April, it has been one of the busiest summers at the club for some time as the ambitious clubhouse extension project has swung into action.

The scheme to revamp the changing rooms, gym and ancillary facilities at Volac Park saw the old, temporary facilities removed, and it has been all systems go to get ready for the new National League One campaign.

“In the last few weeks we have been finalising details around the significant financial support for the project from Cambridge City Council and the interest-free loan and grant award from the Rugby Football Union and Rugby Football Federation, rugby’s charitable arm,” said Cambridge Rugby Club president Steve Bowller.

“Without this tremendous help, it simply wouldn’t have been possible to move forward in this timeframe to create state-of-the-art facilities for rugby and which enables us to provide broad community access to a variety of clubs and societies across sport.”

And Cambridge chairman Rob Dean gave an update on the work.

“The demolition team literally started work the Monday following our last home game against Plymouth Albion,” he said.

“Nobody was sorry to see the back of the old green portacabins that had been the temporary solution, that’s for sure.

“So far everything is going to plan, the new building is starting to take shape and we are hoping to be operational not too far into the new season.

“Helpfully our first couple of games are on the road and we are targeting early November for a ribbon cutting to open the facilities and recognise the help and support of the many funders and members that have made this possible.”

Cambridge start the new season away to Fylde on Saturday, September 2. Their first home game is on September 9.