Members of Ben Rhydding Sports Club have launched a crowdfunder campaign as they look to raise up to £300,000 to fix the club car park which is in urgent need of repair.
The facility, which is used by over 2,000 people each week as well as Ilkley Grammar School students who arrive by bus throughout the day, is in its worst condition in memory with water-filled craters covering most of its 4,900 square metres.
Investigations show the drainage system has failed which is why recent repair efforts have been so short-lived. It’s estimated fixing the drainage alone will cost over £25,000 with the full renovation costing as much as 300k.
The Club is hoping to raise an initial £25,000 to rebuild the drainage and complete short-term surface works by the summer. Any additional funds raised will be ring-fenced for extending the scope of work and future maintenance and repairs with a permanent solution the ultimate goal.
Director of Ben Rhydding Sports Club [BRSC] Andy Musgrave said:
“We’re hopeful that club members, parents, residents and local businesses will get behind our efforts to fix the car park. It’s a huge problem for everyone that uses it as well as a frustration for the club and our members – especially when you look at the fantastic facilities we have on site.
“Our member clubs are community groups without access to the kind of funds needed to permanently fix the problem. We need wider support. If everybody and every member donated at least £20 we’d easily hit our initial target.
“Raising £25,000 is just the tip of the iceberg though. It would be incredible if we can raise the full amount needed to fix our car park once and for all.”
Six sports clubs operate out of BRSC (hockey, football, cricket, bowls, tennis and croquet) with many more teams from local towns and villages using the facilities on a regular basis, including groups from Guiseley, Menston and Burley-in-Wharfedale. It’s estimated one in four Ilkley households access the site each week.
Further fundraising activities are planned, including bucket collections, events and business sponsorship.
Donations can be made via the club’s Just Giving page: www.justgiving.com/campaign/brsc-carpark
Businesses keen to back the campaign should contact linz_dale@yahoo.co.uk Anyone able to offer support in any other way should contact football@ilkleytownafc.co.uk
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