Plans for a smart-looking, glass-fronted pavilion raised at 1.5m to prevent further flood damage have been drawn up by local architect firm InArchitecture and submitted to Northumberland County Council.
The previous clubhouse was demolished this year after the River Tyne levels beat the flood banks at The Stanners following as Storm Desmond wreaked havoc last December.
For the 2016 season, two of the club’s men’s teams and their ladies’ team, as well as the various junior squads, have had to make do with a small space in the attic of the surviving changing pavilion when hosting visiting teams.
However, there is now huge excitement in Corbridge as, all being well, they will be able to extend a warmer welcome to the opposition as the clubhouse is expected to open by April.
Leading the project is committee member John Maude who is working with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) to get the ball rolling.
He said: “I think it was a huge shock to everybody when the water went over the flood bank when it flooded last time.
“We all felt relatively secure behind the flood bank and we know the Enivorment Agency had done a lot of work to strengthen that, but we couldn’t predict the water would rise that high.
“It was horrible for all our neighbours, some of whom aren’t back into their own homes 10 months on, and we felt devastated for them.
“Both we and the nearby rugby club rely heavily on people giving their time voluntarily to keep us going, so it was pretty depressing to see the clubhouses covered in mud and half wrecked.
“All at Corbridge Cricket Club are really excited about the new plans and they are all very much behind this project.
“People have been very impressed with the design, and it will be a good quality, modern building which we hope will be fantastic for many years to come.”
The new clubhouse will come with sliding glass doors to provide a good viewing point from inside the building, and there will also be a veranda area.
A ramp will be provided at the rear of the building to provide disabled access, and the building itself will include a kitchen, bar, toilets and a social area. Solar panels will be placed on the roof of the building, and a rain water tank will be installed underneath the structure.
With a grant expected from the ECB, a total cost of the project is still to be determined and more fund-raising may be expected. However, the club are still confident of realising the dream due to the strong support already shown.
John said: “We really appreciate the support of the local community in Corbridge and surrounding areas, and the world of cricket, from the ECB to the Northumberland Cricket Board, the Northumberland League and West Tyne League and other clubs.”
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