THE refurbishment of a Suffolk club’s pavilion is now well under way.

Capel Community Trust received a grant of £25,000 from the Football Foundation towards an initial project cost of £34,738 to refurbish the pavilion at Capel St Mary Playing Field.

Work started in early June on modernising the current pavilion, which is believed to be an old site building from when the A12 was being constructed.

It is thought to have been built in the early 1970s, with an extension added in the early 1990s.

Capel Plough FC Chairman Gareth Millar said: “The roof has had to be repaired, strengthening trusses and reboarding the internal ceiling.

“We have taken the opportunity to remove some internal walls to create more useable space. There is a new kitchen, bar area, heating system and showers to be installed.”

The pavilion at Capel St Mary Playing Field, which is home to Capel Plough FC, is undergoing a major makeover.

The club, whose first team play in the Macron SIL Senior Division, run three adult teams plus 20 Youth teams for boys and girls from under-8s to under-18s. The club also runs Weetabix Wildcats sessions for girls aged 5-11 and ‘Tasters’ for 4-6-year-olds.

Gareth outlined what the improved facility would mean to the club.

He said: “It means that we have a facility that is considerably more fit for purpose. We are home to over 20 teams and have in excess of 250 kids playing for us as well as the three adult teams.

“It gives them a sense of pride to their ‘home’ surroundings and hopefully will provide a positive environment for visitors too.”

Phase one of the project is expected to be completed early next month.

The total project cost has increased to nearly £48,000, with the club raising £3,000 and landlords Capel St Mary Community Trust increasing their grant from £5,000 to £20,000 to make up the shortfall.

Gareth added: “The pandemic has been hard for grassroots clubs with a limited volunteer base. We look forward to restoration of normality, although fear this may be further away than hoped!”