The last summer matches may have been played but, for Prestwich Cricket, Tennis and Bowling Club (PCTBC – the Club), the real work is just beginning. The Club is embarking on the second phase of a £575,000 development project, which will provide significantly improved sports and leisure facilities for its members and the local community.
As the only amateur multi-sports club in the southern part of Bury MBC, the Club plays a vital part in encouraging sporting activity amongst all ages and at all levels. The current improvements will help to secure the long-term future of the Club and strengthen its role within the community.
The Club has been working for over two years to secure funding for the scheme, with Sport England contributing £236,000, £130,000 from the England and Wales Cricket Trust (a wholly owned charitable subsidiary of the England and Wales Cricket Board) and £40,000 from the Lawn Tennis Association. The remaining funding is coming from internal fundraising, including donations and short-term loans from members, plus sponsorship from the Club’s brewery, JW Lees.
PCTBC Chairman, Brian Lorenzini, said: “The funding provided by all the Sports Governing Bodies has been crucial to this project. Their proven commitment to the growth of grass root sports reflects our own investments in the local community and we are delighted to build on our work in this field. Our objective now is to massively increase our membership across all our current sports and attract additional sporting groups like Football and Athletics.”
He continued: “The overwhelming level of support from members has also been key, not just in financial terms but also the time and energy given by a number of people involved in the project. The vision of a Club that will provide excellent facilities for future generations has inspired a huge effort, and indicates how highly PCTBC is valued amongst its membership.”
Sport England’s regional lead for the North West, Anne Boyd, said: “Prestwich Cricket, Tennis & Bowling Club has an important role to play in our drive to get more people playing and enjoying sport. We’re pleased to be investing in the Club’s facilities, which will create a fresh opportunity to attract more people from the local community to the club as well as enhancing the sporting experience for members new and old.”
The full development project comprises three new floodlit tennis courts incorporating a coaching and junior zone, the building of a dedicated changing room and improvements to the existing Clubhouse to create a new members’ lounge and a more contemporary environment. External works, including improvements to the drive and car parking areas, complete the scheme.
In addition to its adult and junior members, the Club is regularly used by the wider community, local schools including the neighbouring Prestwich Arts College, as well as County and Town youth representative teams, opposing teams, those attending coaching sessions and guests of social and sporting members.
Phase 1 of the development project, focusing on the tennis section, was completed in March this year; Phase 2, including the new changing room block and floodlighting for the tennis courts is scheduled for September-December 2009. Phase 3, to refurbish the existing clubhouse, is due to begin later this year and be completed by February. The official opening is planned for Spring 2010.
Further information on PCTBC and membership is available online (www.pctbc.com) or by telephone 0161-773 2524 (evenings and weekends). Anyone wishing to support PCTBC in its fundraising should contact Brian Lorenzini on 07850 947534.
Editor’s Notes
First established in 1840 as Prestwich Cricket Club, PCTBC is one of the oldest sporting clubs in Manchester and currently has 500 members. It is affiliated to the LTA (Lancashire), the ECB
(Lancashire) and to the British Crown Green Bowling Association. It has also just started an active Football section who play in the Lancs Amateur League, the Bury Sunday League and the North Bury Junior Football League. PCTBC has been awarded Clubmark for both the cricket and tennis sections and is in the process of achieving FA Charter Standard for football. This cross-sport quality accreditation, introduced by Sport England in 2002, recognises the Club’s commitment to its junior membership.
Press release issued by Sue Hibbert, smudge pr (07973 831527 / sue@smudgepr.co.uk)
