Rugby club must be given new base (From St Helens Star)

Rugby club must be given new base

12:30pm Thursday 22nd January 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

PLANS to build houses on the famous ground of Pilkington Recs have been given the backing of councillors - on the condition that developers provide the amateur rugby league club with a suitable new home.

St Helens Council’s planning committee gave approval for house building plans on the City Road site, Windle City.

The scheme, which involves land at Cowley Hill and off Washway Lane, includes 210 homes, shops, employment units, and a bowling green.

Blueprints will now be referred to the Government Office for the North West, which must decide whether to call in the proposals.

The plans have conditions attached which state that Pilks Recs, which has more than 200 adult and junior players on their books, should be given a new home at the Ruskin Drive sports ground.

The amateur rugby league club, whose famous history has been chronicled in a recently published book, celebrates its 60th anniversary this year.

Recs officials have been told by developers that the club will have use of City Road for next season.

John Rees, of Pilkington Recs, said: “One of the conditions of the plans is that they re-home the rugby club at Ruskin Drive. Whilst it will be sad to leave City Road, this will bring an end to the uncertainty that has been hanging over us for a long time.

“As a club we are excited and looking forward to the move. And, because it will be some time yet before we leave City Road, we will be able to plan how best to give our famous home a fitting send off.”

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)