PAULTONS Cricket Club should have a new pavilion by next year, two years after its clubhouse was destroyed by an arson attack.
Work has begun on the new £630,000 hub but the club is still urging businesses to donate what they can to help with costs.
In May, the club was given the green light to demolish the burnt building in Whitemoor Lane, Ower, and build a new facility on the same site.
The aim is to have the pavilion up and water tight by next year, with functional changing rooms ready for the cricket season in May.
Members have been forced to use temporary facilities funded by the English Cricket Board since the fire.
The club posted on Facebook: “Exciting times for the rebuild...the concrete has been laid (thank you Mike May) and more groundwork happening in the coming weeks.
“We are hopefully going to have a clubhouse by 2024 but although finished from the outside, it's going to be very much unfinished on the inside....and funds will be exhausted.
"So any trades people that would like to donate some time or local companies that could provide anything inside, please do get in contact. We'd appreciate anything people are willing to help with.”
In January last year, a van was driven onto the pitch and set ablaze beside the 65-year-old pavilion.
Crews from four fire stations, Eastleigh, Redbridge, Romsey, and St Mary’s, arrived to find half the building engulfed in flames.
The fire destroyed around half the building including a changing area and a room with a pool table.
Following the blaze, hundreds of people donated to a GoFundMe page set up by one of the players, Ryan Collingwood.
New Forest District Council also awarded £40,000.
The new pavilion will have many of the same facilities like changing rooms, toilets, a bar, club/function room and storage.
New features include disabled access and additional changing rooms so women who play in predominantly male teams have a place to change.
Club secretary Nicky Lamb said: “Not having a clubhouse has had a big impact on the club, particularly not having a place for an end of season do but ultimately we have done alright. Our junior membership has even grown.
“It’s terrifying because it’s going to wipe out our budget and all the insurance money will be gone but it’s so exciting at the same time.
“The temporary facilities have been okay actually. Our members have been amazing and everyone has been so patient.
“We’ve got some good core skills in our members including an electrician but it’s things like carpentry and materials we need help with.
“I’m optimistic we’ll get the help we’ll need. When the fire first happened lots of people said they would help with the rebuild so it’s now about getting in contact with them.
“The new pavilion should help bring us into the 21st century.”
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