Temple Grafton Cricket Club Water Supply Project

Aim

Replacement of water main to isolated community cricket club - critical for both survival and growth

What is the need for your project in the community? How will your project improve local life?
Ensuring survival and driving growth of the club through improved facilities is important for sustaining access to sport in the community. With many sports clubs struggling to survive, completion of our project will help to improve access and attract new and younger players to cricket. This will help create a highly valuable resource for both local families and cricket fans. Having access to mid-week games, youth coaching, and weekend games with clean facilities will ensure the community can depend on the club as both a social outlet and health resource.

What support do you have from the local community for your project?
When we applied for Calor funding in 2019 to install solar panels for hot water at the club, it had the same aim to improve facilities to drive growth, and bring more visitors to the club. We had huge backing from the community, proven by the numbers of votes received for such a small club during the Calor Community Funding process, finishing 10th out of over 200 national projects. In addition, for those that couldn't vote online, we collected nearly 100 signatures to support 'improving club facilities' from the local community.

Who will benefit from your project?
The main beneficiaries of the project will be the current club members and visiting players, their families and, most importantly, the wider local community. We estimate these to be 500 people. We are forging links with the village school who, with over 100 pupils, currently have to travel to a neighbouring village to use sporting facilities, as ours are currently inadequate.

Tell us more about your project and how it will benefit your community if you are successful.
Our project is to replace the aging water supply that has been in situ and slowly deteriorating since installation approximately 50 years ago. The current system is no longer fit for purpose for multiple reasons. The water pipe runs for over 700m from the water main, the majority is above ground and not insulated (see section 2 and 3 below).  This means it is exposed to freezing temperatures in winter and frequent animal damage as it traverses a large wooded area.

This has led to wasteful leaks and unsustainable water bills. Furthermore, the inner diameter of the pipe is too narrow to support the water pressure needed for a modern cricket facility. Our plans include the installation of showers and additional hand washing facilities later this year, which are now seen as vital given the Covid-19 hygiene standards. With a more reliable and modern water supply, facilities can be improved and expanded to attract more players, supporters and their families from the local community. Better facilities are key to growing the club and serving the community by providing access to a social outlet and grass roots coaching in a safe and secure environment.

Please give a breakdown of the costs of your project.
All materials compliant with reg 31 of the water supply regulations 2000 5 x 150m by 50mm MDPE pipe @ £422 each - £2,110 4 x Coupling @ £6 each - £24 2 x reducing coupling @ £12 each - £24 3 x Stop valve @ £45 - £135 Inspection chamber - £106 Trenching machine hire - £270 Flush, fill, disinfect and pressure test - £30 Total -£2,699

This project successfully funded on 16th July 2020