New lighting upgrades and building reconfiguration work has been undertaken at a West Yorkshire cricket club thanks to a donation from Esh Construction and framework operator, YORhub, teaming up to support economic regeneration projects within the region.
The donation to Almondbury Cricket Club has allowed re-modelling works to be undertaken within the building which has provided spaces for a new kitchen, disabled access toilets and facilities, allowing wider community access to those who were previously unable to take part in activities due to the lack of disabled access facilities.
On the approach to the cricket club, a number of street lights have been installed to improve safety and visibility for those who participate in activities which take place on an evening during the winter months.
Esh Construction made the donation as result of its work on an extension building at King James’s School which is located less than one mile away from the cricket club.
Zoe Popple, business development manager at Esh Construction, said: “We pledged to support a local cricket club as part of our commitment to YORhub’s, YOR4Good Fund – a community grant initiative which supports economic regeneration projects through schemes awarded through the YORhub construction frameworks.
“We came across Almondbury Cricket Club whilst working nearby on a £5.2 million development of King James’s School. It has been a pleasure to work alongside YORhub on yet another successful project, making a difference to the cricket team’s facilities and local community of Almondbury.”
Aside from the cricket team, the club runs various sessions and events to generate revenue and tackle loneliness in the local area, regaining its former stature as the ‘community hub’. Over the Christmas period, Almondbury Cricket Club remained open serving meals and running bingo nights for the elders as well as activities for all ages.
David Burns, secretary at Almondbury Cricket Club, said: “The funding from Esh and YORhub has been a massive boost for us to undertake some much-needed renovations to the building layout. There has been a lack of investment in our facilities for many years. It was and indeed still is in need of investment and improvements in various other areas.
“The remodelling of the kitchen area will now finally enable us to get some disabled toilets installed in the near future. The installation of the outside lighting along the driveway has made a massive difference to the feeling of safety for our club members when they are entering and exiting the premises during the hours of darkness. The true effect of these lights will become apparent to our members as we enter the winter months.
“We cannot thank the team at Esh enough for the funding and advice given during the application process.”
The King James’s School Extension project was procured via YORhub’s YORbuild2 framework, in partnership with Kirklees Council. The new two-storey building provides 10 new classrooms, toilets, staff areas and social space.
We came across Almondbury Cricket Club whilst working nearby on a £5.2 million development of King James’s School. It has been a pleasure to work alongside YORhub on yet another successful project, making a difference to the cricket team’s facilities and local community of Almondbury."
