Open Evening Q&A

2018 has to be the year of big fundraising and lots more ideas are bouncing around after a successful open evening and Q&A session. As he welcomed villagers to the presentation, Trustee John Mitchell noted how the rejuvenated sports clubs have become a positive focus for youngsters. Representatives from all the clubs updated the audience on how large the membership numbers now are and how the current building cannot cope.

Trustees for the Recreation Ground explained how National Park regulations demand the footprint of the new building cannot be bigger than what exists, so they have to go up to make a larger (and more attractive) pavilion. Numerous regulations covering food hygiene, disabled access and child protection all mean that the current building is already way out of date. On the money, the trustees said the £1m figure is an ‘average’ quote for a public building of this size: for comparison a small leisure centre costs £15m. The process for securing grants from the lottery and sport governing bodies is underway along with pledges and donations. 

There were questions about parking and the hire of the building for large parties and wedding receptions. In response, trustee Bill Gourlay said one of the guiding principles is for the pavilion to be ‘something that inspires rather than annoys’. All use will be closely monitored to ensure it does not become a nuisance. Sport takes precedence so, realistically, the number of receptions will be limited. On parking, Fernhurst already has one of the largest car parks of any comparable sports club: what is needed now is more considerate parking, a few white lines and for more people to walk to the Rec. It is a victim of its own success.

Please do get involved with fundraising and ideas and follow our progress at pavilion2022.org.uk :: on Facebook we are @FernPav2022 and on Twitter @Pavilion2022