Apprentices from Accrington & Rossendale College will play a key role in a brand new project which will see the terracing at Accrington Cricket and Tennis Club’s Property Shop Arena completely transformed.
Proposals for the project include refurbishing the external seating area at the front of the clubhouse to create a more accessible area for people with disabilities or limited mobility, so that they can enjoy the facilities with the peace of mind that they have safe access to all the amenities the club has to offer.
The club is looking to retain some of the existing terracing at the front of the clubhouse with a level platform being built directly outside the front of the new bi-folding doors that have already been installed, while the project will also incorporate a part of Accrington’s history, with the reclaimed Nori Brick to become a main focal point of the new area.
The re-development will take place in two phases over the next 10 months, with brickwork Apprentices from Accrington and Rossendale College to be heavily involved throughout the process including building a retaining wall to create a level platform, as well as minor repairs to the front terracing, before finalising the project later in 2023 through brickwork and the tribute to Accrington Nori.
To facilitate the project Accrington Cricket and Tennis Club are also seeking crucial donations from local businesses and stakeholders, including cash donations, building materials and outdoor terrace furniture, with the Club looking for a manufacturer to support them.
The items most urgently sought after include building materials such as block, sand and cement, construction knowledge which can be passed onto the Apprentices, donations to fund the planning process and the drawings required, as well as new furniture to be placed on the completed, raised terrace.
Jonathan Hayhurst, Accrington Cricket and Tennis Club Management Chairman, said: “I think it’s great that Accrington & Rossendale College Apprentices are getting involved and that’s what we want to do, we want to build a great community club and we want people like the college being involved in everything we do.
“At the front of the terracing at the moment we’ve got an area that is in quite poor state of repair and we want to look at making it more accessible for all, including anyone with a disability or low mobility, so that they can access the bar area and toilet facilities, as well as being a great area to socialise in and to hold events for the community.”
Steven Buckley, Head of Division Sport, Construction & Motor Vehicle at Accrington & Rossendale College, said: “Accrington Cricket Club is a great venue but hopefully our students and in particular our Apprentices in brickwork can be involved in building and providing a new terracing area, and making sure that it is accessible for all members going forward.”
Phil Burgess, Curriculum Leader for Apprenticeships in Construction and Motor Engineering at Accrington & Rossendale College, added: “It’s an exciting opportunity for our Apprentices who will get some real valuable experience, there’s a great bit of work to do but I’m sure that we can provide a good service to produce the end product that the cricket club are looking for. It’s a really good job and we are looking forward to getting started on it.”
To make a donation or discuss this project further, contact Accrington Cricket and Tennis Club by calling 01254 233 495 or by emailing accringtoncricketclub@outlook.com
To learn more about Accrington & Rossendale College, part of the Nelson and Colne College Group, visit their website: https://www.accross.ac.uk/
