PHASE one in the building of a new pavilion at Launceston Cricket Club got under way this week after planning permission and funding was secured, writes Scott Haley.

Monday saw the first hole being dug at the venue in Lawhitton, Launceston, which the club hopes to be completed by the start of the new season.

Club Development Officer, Mervyn Dawe, spent many tireless months last year completing forms, submitting and amending applications and plans, attending site meetings and meeting potential funders, but claims it was all worth it.

He said: "All the hard work myself and assistant Geoff Hills have put in has been made worthwhile. It's fantastic.

"Hopefully the new pavilion will help attract and retain new players because the facilities we currently have aren't good enough."

The facility, which is being built at a 'phase one standard', will have two changing rooms, toilets, a kitchen, a bar and a small social area. It will then be developed in to a phase two facility early next year, which will see the adding of an extra two changing rooms and a larger social area.

He added: "We had to do it this way because it would have taken longer to get the funding otherwise.

"We are situated right in the middle of the parish, so hopefully the new social area will be an attraction for people in the area."

The old changing facilities, a mobile home donated as a 'one year stop gap' in 2003, was finally done away with recently paving way for the new attraction to be built.

Launceston Cricket Club moved to the then new ground at Lawhitton in 2003 and since then the club has made great strides towards providing modern and efficient facilities for both established and developing players.

It provides cricket for all members of the community, with a well established Juniors section that has seen three boys represent Cornwall at age-group level in recent years.

If you would like to find out more about Launceston Cricket Club, visit their website, at www.launceston.play-cricket.com