Howzat! Liphook & Ripsley Cricket Club is celebrating a major refurbishment to its pavilion, thanks to funding drawn from local developments.
The project was designed and constructed in line with Sport England’s requirements, ensuring the facilities meet modern standards for safety, accessibility and inclusivity.
It was paid for in part by £69,104 of S106 Developer Contribution Funds from East Hampshire District Council (EHDC).
With every home built, developers must make a financial contribution to infrastructure
This funding can be allocated to schemes that will help offset the impact of development on local facilities such as schools, health services and roads.
The refurbishment focused on upgrading the club’s changing facilities, which had become outdated and non-compliant with current Sport England and England and Wales Cricket Board guidelines.
Cllr Angela Glass, EHDC’s Portfolio Holder for Regulation & Enforcement, which includes Planning, said: “This is a fantastic scheme which has made a huge difference to the cricket pavilion.
“Developers’ contributions are an important way of supporting local communities and providing and enhancing local infrastructure.”
Previously, the pavilion featured communal showers and toilets with no clear separation between changing and social areas - posing potential safeguarding and security concerns, especially as the club has seen significant growth in its junior and women’s sections.
The pavilion now includes two upgraded changing rooms, modernised toilet facilities, a new accessible changing room and a dedicated umpire’s changing rooms.
Liphook & Ripsley Cricket Club currently fields men's and women’s teams and has youth teams, with players as young as seven enjoying the sport.
Steve Barrett, Director of Liphook and Ripsley Cricket Club, said: “We were delighted to hear that these funds would be available to improve our clubhouse, it has already made such a difference in enabling us to offer our members and the wider community improved facilities and in turn help promote inclusiveness.”
The club also plans to open the facility for community functions, meetings and events during the winter months. A second phase of refurbishment is planned to enhance the social areas.
The upgraded pavilion supports the club’s ambitions to grow its membership, particularly among juniors and women and girls, while also enhancing the experience for spectators and the wider community.