A RUGBY club is calling for public support to help earn a grant to transform its clubhouse into a community hub.

Romsey Rugby Club is applying for a community asset fund from Test Valley Borough Council to add the finishing touches to the team’s new club house at Ganger Farm Sports Park.

The development will include a bar, kitchen area, furniture and TV to make the place feel homely and be suitable to hire out.

As a not-for-profit organisation Romsey Rugby Club is relying on the council grant with the improvements estimated to cost £50,000 in total, including building works and furnishings.

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The club must meet three requirements to be awarded the community asset fund (CAF). First, the club acquired names and addresses of supporters through an online questionnaire. Now wider support is being sought on social media through likes and shares. Finally, the committee will submit letters from schools, residents and others who back the proposal.

The sports club has been working with the council for more than 10 years on their new base. After moving into the facilities in October the club is now finalising its move into the clubhouse.

Club director Tristan Pattison said: “At the moment we’ve got a really generous space but with little inside it. We want to create a welcoming atmosphere that appeals to rugby players, their families and other users. It’s a massive opportunity to create a great venue and a community hub.

Hampshire Chronicle:

“The support has been outstanding, lots of positive messages and lots of people helping us out with community applications.

“It’s easy to criticise the delay but everyone in the community is working towards the same goal. We’ve had great support from the council and other sports clubs. We’ve worked closely with a local caterer to get input on the kitchen and a publican for help with the bar and that’s been heart-warming.”

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The organisation is applying for up to 50 per cent of the building works which have been valued at £25,000 and will hear whether they’ve been successful in January.

Cllr Nick Adams-King said: “Romsey Rugby Club’s plans to share their brilliant new facility at Ganger Farm is a fantastic and generous proposal.  The Community Asset Fund is unique to Test Valley has enabled dozens of communities to benefit from TVBC funding over the last few years.”

Mr Pattison added: “We’ve done everything we can so we’re feeling confident. The council has been great at communicating with us but there’s a ton of organisations that need funding too. As a voluntary organisation the fund is critical to get the project over the line.

If all goes to plan, the rugby committee is hoping to have the clubhouse ready for people to come and watch the first Six Nations match in February.