Manor Park Sports Club

A message from Our Chairman - Mr Allan Homfray

 

Dear Member,

Clubhouse Extension – How You Can Help

As you are aware, plans for the Club house extension, comprising the new cafe/bar overlooking the tennis courts, the new reception area and the extended Indoor Bowls concourse have been drawn up and submitted to the town planners for approval. The Manor Park Trustees and Management Committee believe that this extension will make Manor Park much more appealing and attractive to both existing and new members of the Club, and has been long overdue in its conception.

Over the last few months we have been applying for funds from various sources to raise the estimated £240,000 we need for this project. We have identified the following potential resources:

• £75,000 from existing Manor Park Funds

• £0-150,000 loan from RBS or Allied Irish Bank (subject to the bank taking appropriate security)

• £0-50,000 from Sport England Grant (Inspired Facilities)

• £0-50,000 from Lawn Tennis Association (15 year interest free loan)

Applications are underway but there is no guarantee as to the amounts, if any, which will be forthcoming from these sources. A factor in the success of the applications to Sport England and the LTA is our ability, as members of the Club, to support this scheme by contributing funds ourselves, while it is also obviously preferable to minimise interest charges and other fees by keeping any bank loan as low as possible. We believe that it is not unreasonable to raise some £75,000 ourselves from our 1,000 adult members and have put together a number of options which may suit individual circumstances. Section contributions via specific fundraising activities, raffles or other fund raisers, will also help.

The options are:

1. Buy a club loyalty card - cost of the card at £250 provides a 10% discount on all food and drink bought from the new bar/café for a 5 year period, with a raffle held annually to reimburse a number of cardholders over a 10 year period. Refund for all other cardholders after 10 years or on ceasing to be a Club member if earlier.

2. Buy a brick - £25 per brick and your name will be registered in the record of the Manor Park Club as a contributor to this extension. Number of bricks which can be bought is unlimited and 5 bricks will also get you a loyalty card, for a 5 year period, but no refund!

3. A simple donation according to your financial circumstances.

We are keen to make sure that adequate funding is in place by the time we receive planning approval, so that the building work can start in May 2012, so we really need you to pledge your support.

As a first step we would like to gauge the level of support by asking you to make your pledge as to which of the three options you would be willing to support, i.e. option 1 or for options 2 and 3 an indication of the number of bricks or donation you would make. Please return to Andy or Lorna or ring 01684 574010 or email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Andy will have a list of all Club members and will keep the Trustees and Management Committee informed of the level of support. If everyone could respond by 30th January, then the results can be discussed at the Management Committee Meeting 31st January, and steps can be put in place to raise the money in the months following the meeting.

Thank you in advance for your help.

Allan Homfray,

Chairman, Management Committee

16th January 2012