WIDNES RUFC's Heath Road headquarters was packed to the rafters recently, as the club celebrated the official opening of their newly refurbished clubhouse.

Principal guests on the day were welcomed by Club President Charles Morris and his wife Jean and included; The Worshipful the Mayor of Halton, Councillor Ellen Cargill, and the Consort, Councillor Dave Cargill, Mr & Mrs Derek Twigg MP and local Councillor Mr & Mrs Keith Morley.

The works were only possible thanks to a substantial grant from Waste Recycling Environmental Ltd (WREN).

WREN is a not for profit business that awards grants to community, environmental and heritage projects across the UK from funds donated by FCC Environment to the Landfill Communities Fund.

There was also a significant third party input from Halton Borough Council’s Area Forum, without whose help, the works would not have gone ahead.

The grant was used to fund major improvements to a number of ‘front of house’ facilities.

The works have included; a dedicated disabled toilet, new male and female toilets, new kitchen, and a new entrance and signage, and a disabled ramp to comply with current DDA legislation. In addition, the club has received a fresh lick of paint throughout and a well deserved general tidy up both inside and out in readiness for the first home game of the season.

The club now have facilities to match the very best particularly amongst other community clubs within the region.

The enhanced facilities are already attracting many more new members – both social and playing – to the club, which will be of particular interest and importance following the start of the Rugby World Cup which began a fortnight ago.

There is plenty of interest being shown in the proposed new facilities, and there has already been an increase in the number of room bookings taken.

The new facilities will also offer new and improved access facilities to both social members, as well as opening up new opportunities to those groups where access to the building may have proved difficult in the past.

Speaking about the grant award, Widnes club chairman Ged Snee said: “We are absolutely delighted with our grant award from WREN.

"This is not an insignificant amount of money which we have been awarded, and it will allow us to continue with our long term vision.

"We would also like to thank Halton Borough Council Area Forum and the External Funding and Sports Development teams for their support in making all of this happen.

"We are very grateful for their knowledge, expertise, as well as their financial support during the grant award process”

In response, Peter Cox, managing director of WREN commented: “WREN makes a difference to people’s lives by awarding grants to community, environmental and heritage projects across the UK. We are delighted to support Widnes RUFC and their valuable work.”

An album of ‘before and after’ photographs showing the progress of the works will be available shortly on the club website http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/widnes/ Further information regarding room bookings is available on the website, or by contacting the club on 0151 424 2575 (after 7pm).