The Monmouth Sports Association’s plans to improve the facilities at the Pavilion have taken a big step forward, reports Des Pugh.

Despite the setback due to damage caused by a burst water pipe in December, the Sports Association have now received further funding from the England and Wales Cricket Board.

This adds to the funds raised last year via a Crowdfunding campaign, generous donations from local benefactors, and support from the local community.

The Sports Association has now appointed Mears Inc as the main contractor for the first phase of the planned refurbishment and “spades will soon be in the ground!”

More good news came on the funding front, with the Sports Association’s “expression of interest” in a Community Facilities Programme grant having been positively received by the Welsh Government.

The Association has been formally invited to apply for the Community Grant by completing the next stage of the process.

Whilst there is no guarantee of securing funding, it is a real boost to the Association, knowing that the plans are acknowledged as being of benefit to the community as a whole.

The Sports Association plan to hold an open evening on Tuesday March 2 at 7pm, so that everyone can come and view the ideas for the next phases in the Pavilion’s refurbishment plans.

Jason Pritchard, who is volunteer project manager said “I am delighted at the speed at which we have been able to secure a contractor and how soon they will be able to start work.

‘‘After years of planning, it is great to see tangible work is about to happen. Thanks must go in particular to Delyth Harris of the Cricket Club and Sophie Hughes of the Tennis Club who have led the fundraising efforts. We’re looking forward to finally getting the project off the ground.“

Phase one is the new glazing to the front elevation which will start the transformation of the main clubhouse room. Whilst the contractors will do their best to work around the various uses of the pavilion, there may be some disruption as work gets underway.