Shown here from left to right: Chairman of MRFC John Wanklyn, Rt Hon Theresa May  MP, Construction Director John Youle and Craig Mitchell of Beard

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All set for the new season - local MP Theresa May opens new facilities at Maidenhead RFC

Theresa May opened Maidenhead Rugby Football Club’s new, upgraded and fully refurbished facilities on 15 October, these provide real improvements for players and visiting teams as well as becoming a perfect venue for business and community events.

Chairman John Wanklyn’s vision for the 2010/2011 season is for a smart, modern community club which can grow its 500-strong youth element and host women’s and girl’s matches at the same time as junior and senior men’s teams.

With funding for the £400,000 project from private donations and help from the RFU the smart new transformation includes upgraded male and female cloakroom facilities,  disabled access as well as improved social areas, function rooms and bar.

Completed one week early and on budget the extension and refurbishment work has been undertaken by regional construction firm Beard. John Wanklyn explains: “Beard has been a perfect construction choice, working side by side with RFU design consultants and us to deliver a complete transformation of club facilities. As an active partner in the project, not just a contractor, they have helped guide us through a major programme of work, finding savings to achieve all our aspirations, despite our restricted budget.”

With a growing number of fixtures and a new women’s senior team starting this year the improved facilities come at a perfect time for Maidenhead RFC. The club is confident that the new facilities will also provide attractive facilities for other social activities, parties and fitness clubs and as a meeting venue for local businesses - being ideally placed between Maidenhead and Windsor with quick access from the M4 motorway.

John Youle said: “We are increasingly working in the Windsor, Maidenhead and Slough areas and this successful Design and Build project adds to our portfolio, and I hope our reputation, here. This is an excellent example of the value we can bring to a project as by working with our customers we make sure they get the best from what they have and then add to it.”

John added: “This approach results in an affordable solution; whereas a complete new build would be too costly, I know that achieving their objectives for a very inflexible budget was a priority for the club – and it was achieved – and I’m sure this is true for many organisations in the current economic climate.”