Strathaven Rugby Club officially relaunched their impressive new-look clubhouse at the weekend.
Extensive works have transformed the popular facility after water damage caused the clubhouse to close for repairs nearly two years ago.
The new upgrading works have included an interior refurbishment to the bar/function suite and changing rooms.
New renewable energy sources in the form of ground source heat pump and UV panels, thanks to a grant received from South Lanarkshire Council’s Renewable Energy Fund, will help secure the clubs funding and help in its aim to be a community-focused carbon neutral sports club.
The savings generated from the renewable energy sources will allow more funds to be reinvested in providing better sporting facilities within the community.
A special opening ceremony saw current and past members, local VIPS and other members of the Strathaven community gather to celebrate the landmark event, thirty years on from the original opening of the clubhouse in 1992.
Provost Margaret Cooper officially opened the new clubhouse with President Davy Naismith and Vice-President Colin “Chunk” Dalgarno.
Davy Naismith said: “We are all delighted with our new clubhouse and renewable energy system and I would like to thank everyone who helped us to get to this stage.
"Special thanks has to go to Provost Margaret Cooper, Jardine Paterson and South Lanarkshire Council’s Renewable Energy Fund, without their dedication to the club we would never have been able to achieve such a fantastic facility.
"Colin Dalgarno, who has donated project management services to the club, and to whom we are extremely thankful for the work he’s put in to getting the clubhouse back up and running."
Provost Cooper said: “It has been an absolute pleasure to work with Colin and Davy to bring this project to fruition.
"I was delighted with the grant funding we achieved as it is the biggest single grant I have supported for our ward and it could not have gone to a better purpose.
"I have always held sport close to my heart and to see so many young people enjoying their training and their fixtures is amazing.
"I look forward to continuing to work with the club to further improve the facilities and hope we achieve an indoor training facility in the not-too-distant future.”
Vice President Colin Dalgarno added: “The new facility will allow us as a club to re-focus club funds towards providing sport in the local community through savings generated by the South Lanarkshire Council Renewable Energy Fund.
"Donating project management and quantity surveying services to another project for the club has been a pleasure as has working with Procast who have provided a first class service and have at all times kept to their finish date and budget.
"I’d like to offer my own personal thanks to Provost Margaret Cooper and to Jardine Paterson for their help to get us where we are today, they have been invaluable to the club.
"As always I’d take the opportunity to offer gratitude to our clubs committee who have all worked tirelessly to get the clubhouse back up and running for the benefit of our members and the wider Strathaven community."
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