Dartford Council Deputy Leader Chris Shippam has unveiled a plaque to mark the start of work on a brand new community clubhouse and home for Dartford Valley Rugby Club at Stone Lodge.
The project includes a new clubhouse and social centre for the local community alongside a flood-lit 3G rugby pitch and a second grass pitch to provide a permanent home to the growing number of teams at the hugely popular Dartford Valley Rugby Club.
The sustainable 880 sq.m clubhouse sits in a fully landscaped environment and will enable the club to build on its superb reputation for work with young people and communities. When the community clubhouse opens this Summer it will accommodate not just the senior teams but the growing mini and junior sections too.
Jeremy Kite, Leader of Dartford Borough Council said, “I’m delighted to see work begin on our latest investment in community facilities. This will not only be a fantastic new home for Dartford Valley Rugby Club but also a brilliant new hospitality and social space for the Stone community. Like rugby clubs everywhere, Dartford Valley Rugby Club is a welcoming and friendly community and they will make a big difference to Stone.
Outside the current construction of the new club, which is due to open Summer 2019.
We’ve seen our previous investments in places like Fairfield, Princes Park and Dartford Cricket Club make a real positive impact, especially with young kids getting more involved in leisure and sporting activities. But these kind of facilities really benefit the whole community, when people and local organisations adopt them as venues for celebrations, parties and meetings, and that’s when they truly become of value for everybody. Rugby has the potential to involve and engage huge numbers of families and I’m very proud to be bringing that to the heart of the Stone community.”
Peter Timon, Dartford Valley Rugby Club Chairman said, “The progress is fantastic. Dartford Borough Council is clearly committed to providing top quality family-friendly facilities for the town and supporting our growth as a local club means we can do so much more to help this community. The new clubhouse will not only help us but will provide the people of Stone with a new centre for community life and activities.
We are determined to repay the faith that Jeremy and the council have shown in us. At the very start of this project Jeremy outlined a project that would welcome everyone and make a real difference to the local community. We know we can do that. Our club membership is a true reflection of the town and the core rugby values of Respect, Discipline, Teamwork & Fun. We can’t wait for our opening in the Summer.”
To find out more about Dartford Valley Rugby Club visit www.dvrfc.co.uk.