A RUGBY club is celebrating the arrival of new changing rooms bought thanks to £200,000 of grant money - and delivered by crane.
And Keighley Albion amateur rugby league club based at Crossflatts recreation ground is one of two northern clubs chosen to pilot the new modular building which will provide desperately-needed changing space plus showers and toilets.
Until now youngsters in its nine youth teams and players in the adult team had to troop to and from changing rooms at the neighbouring cricket club.
And committee member Joanne Brookes was at the site on Wednesday morning to see the five pre-fab units being winched into position.
"It's fantastic to see it - it's the result of 18 months hard work by everyone to get the grants from Sport England and the Rugby Football League," said Mrs Brookes, whose husband Dean is a coach and club chairman.
"We had nothing on site before and had to use just two changing rooms in the cricket club.
"It's great to see them arriving at last after so much campaigning."
As the Leibherr 55 tonne crane swung the modules into place, former player and club stalwart Terry Caddy said: "The club's been going since 1948 and moved here five years ago and this is probable the most positive step forward we've ever taken.
"And it would never have happened if it wasn't for the success we've had in building up our junior teams."
Albion's chairman Dean Brookes said it was "great news".
"Our club has grown but we have been struggling for a long time for space.
"This new building will enable us to expand further and means we can move forward assured of good facilities for the years ahead.
Club official John Normington said the new facility would provide a massive boost.
"The junior section was formed as recently as eight years ago and started with one team of eight children.
"We now have ten junior teams – 180 young people actively playing rugby league – an achievement the club is extremely proud of," Mr Normington said.
Shipley MP Philip Davies, whose constituency includes Crossflatts, supported the club's bids for grant funding and praised both Keighley Albion and Crossflatts Cricket Club for providing what he called "a brilliant job providing sporting opportunities for young people."
Bingley ward Councillor Mark Shaw (Con) added: "It's always nice to see sport being developed in the area."
Councillor Andrew Thornton, Bradford Council's executive member for environment, sport and sustainability, said: "These new changing rooms will be a great boost to the club which is very popular and has nine junior teams and an adult team."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel