WORCESTERSHIRE have unveiled revised plans for the £4million Basil D'Oliveira Cricket Centre at a members forum held at the club's New Road headquarters.
The meeting was told that, with the acquisition of the neighbouring Severn Bridge site, the County Committee had re-considered their plans for the Centre.
Architects are now drawing up plans for the building to include a five-lane cricket school with all associated changing accommodation (male and female), video filming and viewing facilities, a fitness suite and physiotherapy suite for the club.
There will also be improved seating, re-location of the principal catering facilities at the County Ground within the new scheme, and a re-location of the club's shop and reception office.
Secretary, Mike Vockins, explained that the club were also anxious to include a museum and education centre, which would appeal to members, visitors to Worcester, and schools.
Treasurer Peter Seward, said: "We anticipate the cost of the project to be in the order of £4 million to £4.5 million, which of course takes account of our need to avoid flooding problems as far as is possible.
"We have sought the advice of ECB's lottery-funding and fund-raising consultant and we are confident that the scheme for the Cricket Centre should attract considerable lottery funding. We will also have to do our own fund-raising for the project."
Worcestershire chairman John Elliott, said: "This is an exciting project, and the acquisition of the Severn Bridge site has given us the opportunity to revise our plans for the Basil D'Oliveira Cricket Centre.
"This will provide a facility which will meet our own needs and provide a real shot in the arm for cricket throughout the county and in the region.
"We want to move ahead now and obtain formal planning permission and so we are finalising with Ian McConaghy, our architect, the brief for these plans so that they can be submitted to the City Council.
"It is going to be a big project, but we are confident that it will be of great benefit to the County and to cricket locally, as well as being a considerable asset for the City of Worcester and the county.
The forum also dealt with members' wishes that there should be a more regular programme of county cricket, concerns surrounding the club's elimination from the NatWest Trophy, membership subscriptions, the acquisition of new players and the blooding of young players.
Elliott said: "It was a valuable meeting and it provided a good opportunity to hear member's views about the club and our cricket and to share with them our exciting plans for progressing the building of the Basil D'Oliveira Cricket Centre."
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