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PRESS RELEASE re Garenne Stand, Footes Lane
Carl Gardner12 May 2011 - 21:00
MAJOR REDEVELOPMENT PLANS ANNOUNCED FOR FOOTES LANE RUGBY GROUND
At an event last night (11 May 2011) to mark the pre-preparation for this weekend’s Siam Cup, major redevelopment plans for the Garenne Stand at Footes Lane were announced.
Hosted by the Club and attended by the Deputy Bailiff, Richard Collas and First Team’s sponsors, RG Falla, the Team were presented with their club ties by the Deputy Bailiff. The occasion also marked a major investment by businessman Tom Scott in the infrastructure of the Stand and donation of the grounds.
The proposed changes, funded by Mr Scott, will involve redevelopment of the existing first floor to double the size of the existing hospitality room, which will then be fitted out to create a bespoke Club House for Guernsey RFC. There will also be a new area designed to house a full service kitchen and a redesign of the rest of the first floor to create modern flexible Function Rooms, able to seat up to 150 people.
On the ground floor, a new structure will be built, designed to create the environment for a purpose-built high performance gym and sports training facility. The roof top of this structure will also provide space for additional grandstand seating, adjacent to the track finish line, to complement the existing spectator areas. The structural building work will be undertaken by RG Falla.
In his opening address to the assembled audience, Stuart Falla, Chairman of the Guernsey Sports Commission, who have facilitated the process, described the initiative as a fundamental change to the future of rugby in Guernsey.
Commenting on the proposed development, Club Chairman Carl Johnson, said:
“The announcement today is a great boost to the Team just before we go across to Jersey for this weekend’s Siam Cup. This development marks a new phase for Guernsey Rugby. Footes Lane has been the home of Guernsey Rugby for many years and the Garenne Stand has provided the Island with a tremendous spectator-friendly sporting venue since 2003, when it was an integral part of the Island Games.
“These enhancements supported by Tom Scott will provide the platform for taking rugby to the next level in the Island.
“The additional space will mean that we can create a modern Club House for our hard-working players and loyal supporters, a function room that can be used for any number of sporting events in addition to rugby matches themselves, room for a Rugby Development Officer to support our young and upcoming players, and gym facilities designed for the Island’s top sportspeople; all made possible thanks to Tom’s continued support”.
Tom Scott added:
“Over the past 20- years living in Guernsey, I have always taken a keen interest in and supported the Island and its community, as well in business. Being able to now fund these new facilities for the States of Guernsey, for the benefit of the Rugby Club, the players, the spectators and community, as well as to support the development of rugby and sport in the Island; seems like an appropriate way to give something back. I hope that it will help the Club go from strength to strength”.
Hosted by the Club and attended by the Deputy Bailiff, Richard Collas and First Team’s sponsors, RG Falla, the Team were presented with their club ties by the Deputy Bailiff. The occasion also marked a major investment by businessman Tom Scott in the infrastructure of the Stand and donation of the grounds.
The proposed changes, funded by Mr Scott, will involve redevelopment of the existing first floor to double the size of the existing hospitality room, which will then be fitted out to create a bespoke Club House for Guernsey RFC. There will also be a new area designed to house a full service kitchen and a redesign of the rest of the first floor to create modern flexible Function Rooms, able to seat up to 150 people.
On the ground floor, a new structure will be built, designed to create the environment for a purpose-built high performance gym and sports training facility. The roof top of this structure will also provide space for additional grandstand seating, adjacent to the track finish line, to complement the existing spectator areas. The structural building work will be undertaken by RG Falla.
In his opening address to the assembled audience, Stuart Falla, Chairman of the Guernsey Sports Commission, who have facilitated the process, described the initiative as a fundamental change to the future of rugby in Guernsey.
Commenting on the proposed development, Club Chairman Carl Johnson, said:
“The announcement today is a great boost to the Team just before we go across to Jersey for this weekend’s Siam Cup. This development marks a new phase for Guernsey Rugby. Footes Lane has been the home of Guernsey Rugby for many years and the Garenne Stand has provided the Island with a tremendous spectator-friendly sporting venue since 2003, when it was an integral part of the Island Games.
“These enhancements supported by Tom Scott will provide the platform for taking rugby to the next level in the Island.
“The additional space will mean that we can create a modern Club House for our hard-working players and loyal supporters, a function room that can be used for any number of sporting events in addition to rugby matches themselves, room for a Rugby Development Officer to support our young and upcoming players, and gym facilities designed for the Island’s top sportspeople; all made possible thanks to Tom’s continued support”.
Tom Scott added:
“Over the past 20- years living in Guernsey, I have always taken a keen interest in and supported the Island and its community, as well in business. Being able to now fund these new facilities for the States of Guernsey, for the benefit of the Rugby Club, the players, the spectators and community, as well as to support the development of rugby and sport in the Island; seems like an appropriate way to give something back. I hope that it will help the Club go from strength to strength”.
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