Rangers submit plans for new clubhouse (From The Westmorland Gazette)

Rangers submit plans for new clubhouse

1:30pm Wednesday 8th February 2012 in Football By Patrick O'Kane, Senior News/Sport Reporter

CARNFORTH Rangers Football Club have applied for planning permission to build a new clubhouse at its Quarry Park ground.

The club knocked down its former building because of constant vandalism and the changing facilities are currently situated in mobile units at the ground in Lundsfield, Kellet Road.

Club secretary Steven Smith told The Westmorland Gazette: “We have applied for permission for a new clubhouse and changing facility. Things are really exciting at the club and we want to get on with it as soon as possible, should we get the green light.

“All the children down there are our future and as they leave school we want them to come through the system we have set up here.”

Smith said 200 youngsters and 80 senior players are members of the club, with the first team sitting joint second in the Baines Bagguley North Lancashire and District League.

He added: “The idea is that we want to bring in our own funding and make money back for the club itself. “We would like the community to help us out in donations. We want the club to rise as high as we can in the leagues but we are not going to rush into it.

“We have a strong foundation and we want the clubhouse to help is ensure our survival.”

Smith said that the club was hoping to establish a security system as part of its plans because of prolonged vandalism at the site which saw windows broken and general damage to the building.

“We are looking at introducing a lighting system as we have been an easy target in the past,” said Smith.

“The last clubhouse was broken into and broken into and people couldn’t cope with it and walked away.

“It was driving the players and the committee down but hopefully a new clubhouse will help keep us up and running and build some stability.”

The plans have only been submitted to Lancaster City Council but it is hoped that subject to planning permission being granted, the clubhouse could be built in time for the 2012/13 season.