Having gained full planning permission from Wokingham Council for our clubhouse extension in April, the Club has now received detailed costings from three potential suppliers. However, before progressing with the works in September and October as planned, the Committee has recently decided to take a further 1–2 months to undertake a “sense-check” of the latest plans, including with a couple of members who have strong expertise in the building industry.
Due to higher-than-expected costs, the Committee’s current thinking is to phase the development, initially progressing with the left-hand extension as Phase 1, with the right-hand extension following later as Phase 2. However, this phasing — as well as the detail of the proposed extensions themselves — is something we want to sense-check before making a final recommendation to members.
Click on the following links to download the approved plans for the Clubhouse, the Design and Access Statement for the scheme, and to review a 3D model. And click here to see a video of the current clubhouse.
More Background to the Proposals
The outline proposals for a clubhouse extension received support from 63% of members at last November’s AGM and were developed to provide more space for a Club whose membership has grown by nearly 70% since the current clubhouse was built in 2008.
However, with the proposed left-hand extension alone now expected to cost close to £90,000, the Committee believes it is sensible to take a little more time to make sure the plans and proposed phasing represent the right priorities and best value for the Club.
We’d like to hear your views
As part of this review, we will be holding an informal feedback session at the Club, giving members an opportunity to look at the proposals in more detail and share their views on the design, priorities, proposed phasing and any alternative ideas we should consider.
Details of the session will be circulated shortly. If you are unable to attend, or would simply prefer to comment directly, please email the Chairman with your thoughts and suggestions.
Following this review, the Committee will finalise its recommendations and bring them back to members for formal approval via an online Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) before any major expenditure is finally committed.
More Artist Impressions of the Proposed Left Hand Extension
Images from One of Our Potential Suppliers
An Alternative Proposal
Shown below is an alternative layout that creates a larger space and updates the existing clubhouse area. The advantages are that the kitchen area would serve both of the main areas, and we would move the loos / changing rooms / storage space to the “end of the building” in a separate block beyond the proposed decking area.
These alternative plans can be seen in more detail via this 3D model. And download the PDF of the detailed drawings of the alternative plans.
We will seek members views via four informal sessions on the 8th and 9th September, before pulling together a final proposal to share with the wider membership.
