News from the Board 2 – September 2016
This is the second in a series of updates about the development of plans for the new Club.
As I announced at the AGM, the Board has appointed Steven Whitehead to the post of General Manager. This position is key to the development of the infrastructure of the Club itself and the plans for increasing income streams to ensure the financial viability of the new site. It is clear that with the demands of running a larger, more complex organisation that we have to move from a mainly volunteer-run Club to one that employs staff to take on the responsibility for administration and functioning of the Club.
We have also appointed James Clegg as Bar and Hospitality Manager to take responsibility for the social spaces and events at the Club. James has experience in the hotel and retail trade and, in addition to running the day-to-day activities, will be looking at opportunities for enhancing our revenues at the new site.
Rugby and its progression remains our core activity, which will be supported by income from other activities. The Board is aware of the need to balance the development so we do not lose our culture and tradition, something which is so important to all of us. There is no doubt, however, that the new Club will be more expensive to run and maintain so we must ensure that we can sustain the Club by increased revenue and not use the capital which comes with the deal.
The Board is considering how best to invest the ‘balancing sum’ (residual money paid to the Club after the costs of the ground, pitches and clubhouse are deducted), which accrues from the deal. The sum left over once we have fitted out the Club with loose furniture, audio systems, kitchen and servery equipment, gym machines and bar fittings will still be substantial. The Board has no intention of ‘frittering away’ this capital and is consulting with the Trustees on how best to invest the balance. Fortunately two of our Trustees have experience in investments and we are in the process of deciding our investment policy.

The development continues apace in the current good spell of weather. The pitch construction is on hold while the electrical pole remains on the site of the main grass pitch. The timetable for its removal is now established and the new H-pole by the river is in place. ENWL will pull the cables through the ducting to the H-pole and after 30th September the change of supply can take place with a new span of cable across the river. The work should be completed in the first week of October and then the offending old pole can be removed.
We have had regular discussions with the pitch contractors and the pitch consultant, particularly about the grass pitch. The construction of the pitch was revised earlier this year as the developer gained permission to drain the pitches to a piped system that will discharge into the river as opposed to the original plan to use soakaway drainage only. We are assured that this change will result in better drainage of the pitches and allow regular maintenance as the pipe system is accessed through a series of manholes to allow cleaning.
The delay caused by the change of electricity supply has affected the plans for the grass pitch construction and a crucial decision is whether to start the drainage insertion and stone removal from the topsoil shortly or wait until the spring. If the weather is bad in October (when does that ever happen?) then the soil will be too wet to use the machinery to riddle the stone from the ground and damage will occur. Naturally we are concerned that delay to the pitch seeding will impact on our ability to play rugby on the new site next pre-season onwards. We have been reassured that this is still possible and the contractor will keep us informed of progress over the next few weeks.
I am pleased to report that Steve Whitehead has been successful in increasing the sponsorship of the Club and we are all very grateful to those who support us through our sponsorship packages. We are also pleased to see a re-formed social committee with representatives from all parts of the Club and following on from the success of the Black and Amber Ball, more events are planned.
There is no doubt that this season will be challenging both on and off the field and the Board is working hard to ensure a smooth transition to the new site. I shall report further progress soon but if members have any comments for the Board please let me know.
Regards, Stephen Green
Chairman KRUFC