The Bangor Rugby and Cricket Club has recently announced its ambitious plans to upgrade its facilities. In response to the growing popularity of both sports, the management committee of the club has made the decision to enhance the clubhouse and construct two additional self-contained female changing rooms as part of a comprehensive series of improvements.
At present, the club has four senior rugby teams, four youth teams ranging from U12 to U18, and hosts one of the largest mini rugby sections in the region with nearly 200 children participating regularly. Additionally, the club manages the combined North Down Women’s Rugby team in partnership with Ards and Donaghadee Rugby Clubs.
On the cricket front, the club has six men’s senior teams, a women’s senior team, and a thriving youth section with over 175 children actively participating and competing in eight teams across different age levels. Club Chairman Mark Thallon has emphasized the significance of youth and women’s sports for the club’s future success and sustainability, as well as for the overall well-being of the participants.
According to Mr. Thallon, the planned upgrades include the addition of two self-contained female/youth changing rooms to facilitate concurrent games for both male and female/youth fixtures. The existing facilities are not currently equipped to accommodate such arrangements. In addition to the changing rooms, there are plans to enhance the efficiency of the WCs and showers, incorporate accessible WCs, install a disabled access lift, upgrade the ground floor entrance hall, and create a new player entrance directly to the pitches.
The club has successfully secured over £380,000 in funding for facility improvements through the Ulster Rugby Club Capital Improvement Project application to the UK Government’s Levelling Up Fund (Round 2). This funding is specifically allocated for the provision of self-contained female changing rooms and other related works to enhance the existing clubhouse facilities.
Club President, Drew Kennedy, expressed his gratitude for the collective effort that has brought the project to the point of being able to submit a scheme for consideration by Ards and North Down Council’s Planning Department. He commended everyone involved in advancing the project and extended his appreciation for the collaboration with Bangor-based architectural firm, Inside Out. Mr. Kennedy anticipates that the execution of this scheme will play a crucial role in securing the long-term future of both sports in Bangor.