Boost for Mildenhall CC

Funding has been agreed towards the redevelopment of Mildenhall CC's pavilion.

The Community Club Development Programme (administered by the England and Wales Cricket Board) together with Forest Heath District Council have agreed the funding.

The main features of the redevelopment include two additional changing rooms and viewing balcony to be built on top of the existing changing rooms. The pavilion will have a new extended entrance that will include a lift for disabled access to the new changing facilities.

There will be a further extension to allow for a new bar provision. The new bar will mean that the club will then be able to upgrade the present function rooms and kitchen facilities.

The redevelopment of the pavilion will enable Mildenhall Cricket Club to pursue their policy of providing cricket to a wide catchment of the local community.

In addition to running three senior teams on a Saturday and two on a Sunday, the club has maintained a Centre of Excellence for youth coaching and youth competitive cricket that services many of the local village clubs as well.

The U16 team has reached national finals on three separate occasions. The club is one of the few in the county who have Clubmark - a nationwide accreditation that identifies a club's operating standards, including the playing programme, duty of care and child protection, sport equity, ethics and club management.

This year for the first time the club will have a ladies' team representing Mildenhall with fixtures throughout the season. This will make the additional changing rooms essential. The club has also hosted social, charitable and recreational activities for local businesses and clubs.

The project is the culmination of five years work by the club's development committee led by the now chairman Steve Hunt. The club is indebted to the ECB and the builders (ABS Ltd) and Forest Heath DC for the help and guidance in the submission for funding of this development.

Chairman Steve Hunt said: “We have worked hard as club over the last five years to ensure the project would come to fruition. This will allow us to further develop the club and continue along its Focus Club strategy with Suffolk Cricket Board and the ECB, and allow further development of our youth and adult cricket within the local community.

“I would like to thank Tim Nicholls of the ECB and Forest Heath DC for the support they have given the project over the last 18 months. Now we must ensure the project is delivered on time and within budget.”

President Tony Cornell added: “This is a wonderful chance to upgrade Mildenhall's cricket pavilion. I was involved with the development of the ground nearly 40 years ago and know how hard Steve Hunt and his sub committee have worked to make this project happen.

“The generosity of both the Community Club Development Programme and Forest Heath is a testimony of how much the club is doing to provide opportunities for so many people at all ages.”