Rugby - Kendal members vote in favour of move (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Rugby - Kendal members vote in favour of move

10:33am Saturday 1st November 2008 in Sport By Gazette Sports

IT COULD turn out to be a momentous week for Kendal RUFC off the field with the club's membership backing a proposed move to a site in Oxenholme, writes Richard Daniels.

After Tuesday's meeting at the club attended by more than 100 members, the club announced a unanimous vote for the deal, which involves selling the Mint Bridge site, the club's home since 1925.

The full press release issued by Dr Stephen Green, chairman of the board, on behalf of the Kendal club reads as follows: "At an extraordinary general meeting at Kendal RUFC last night over a 100 mebers voted unanimously in favour of a resolution approving the principle of relocating the club to another site within the town.

“The trustees and the board of Kendal RUFC can now sign a conditional contract on behalf of the members.

“This will involve the trustees selling the Mint Bridge site, which has been the home of Kendal rugby since 1925, to a developer, who will undertake to build new facilities on a 15-acre site on Oxenholme Road.

“The club will be provided with a modern two-storey clubhouse with 'state of the art' facilities for players and a balcony stand, car parking for 200 cars and three pitches, one of which will have floodlights.

“ The agreement is subject to satisfactory planning approval for both sites and it is likely that rugby will continue to be played at Mint Bridge for the next three years.

“Kendal RUFC and the developer are aware of the need for consultation with the residents of the Oxenholme area and intend to hold a public meeting once plans are finalised.

“This is an exciting prospect for Kendal rugby at all levels It will help to secure the future of the club and allow expansion of our youth and community involvement which is so vital to the continuing success of the club.”

*** Back to matters on the field, Kendal hope to return to National League 3 North action with a tough assignment at third-placed Fylde on Saturday after torrential rain washed out last Saturday’s home fixture with Nuneaton.

It was the second postponement during October after the game against Huddersfield was called off at the start of the month.

Wingman Lewis Boyd returns to his former club, while flankerMark Wilson is skippering theNewcastle Falcons Academy side for the next two weeks as agreed on his move to Kendal.