A SPORTS club wants to redevelop its facilities for the benefit of town groups, as well as its own members.

Hitchin Rugby Club is looking to give its pavilion and clubhouse a much-needed upgrade, plus all the facilities that go along with it.

As well as benefiting the club and visiting teams, it is hoped the facility will be used by community groups across the area.

An application has now been submitted to North Herts District Council (NHDC), asking for permission to proceed with the plans. A decision is expected later this month.

Peter Tasko, club chairman, said: “The completed facility would remain available for existing users and would also be offered to community groups, making the building a valuable community facility.

“The club is proposing the redevelopment of the existing clubhouse, pavilion and associated facilities into a facility providing greater flexibility.”

Sunday League Football, Hitchin Running Club, Hitchin Town Band, round table and rotary clubs, and the British Networking Initiative are among those who use the pavilion currently. But it is hoped more groups will benefit.

The club, based at King George V Playing Fields, wants to undertake a five-year phased development as funds come in.

It hopes to start with an upgrade and increase in changing facilities, as recommended by the RFU.

Other plans include a new, larger function room to accommodate larger groups and more parking.

“The existing changing rooms and areas are now beyond their expected life and are no longer suited to the requirements of either the sports of the local community,” added Mr Tasko. “Parking at the site has been identified previously as problematic at peak time. The club has used this opportunity and has insisted that additional parking on-site be created to relieved the pressure on local roads.”