Newly restored Clarence Park Pavilion is officially opened
The Victorian-era Clarence Park Pavilion in St Albans has been officially re-opened following a £300,000 facelift.
The external structure of the historic building, which opened in 1894, has been restored as part of a conservation project by St Albans City and District Council.
The work was carried out in consultation with St Albans Cricket Club, which uses the Pavilion under a licence from the Council, and residents.
Now the Council is planning the second phase of the project, refurbishing the interior and upgrading the changing rooms.
St Albans Mayor, Councillor Anthony Rowlands, the Cricket Club’s recently appointed Honorary Patron, toured the building on Wednesday 27 September.
He was joined by Councillor Chris White, the Council Leader, as well as Clarence Ward Councillors, representatives of the Cricket Club and members of the Clarence Park Residents Association.
Mayor Rowlands said:
It is fantastic to see that this much-loved local landmark has been renovated to an extremely high standard.
As a cricket fan and former club cricketer, I am delighted that St Albans Cricket Club now has a Pavilion which provides a high standard of facilities for their players and supporters and for visiting teams.
The external work was completed last month by contractor Conamar Building Services and included painting and decorating, new guttering and repairs to the brickwork, external staircase, roof and distinctive balustrade.
There were also upgrades to lighting, new fire doors, rewiring and the reconditioning of windows or installation of new ones.
Funding was provided mainly by S016 contributions, payments made by property firms in recognition of the impact a development may have on the local area.
The Cricket Club and Clarence Park Residents Association will again be involved in shaping the designs for the interior.
Hertfordshire Cricket Board and the English Cricket Board will help to identify funding options.
Cllr White said:
I am delighted we have completed the first phase of this ambitious project despite the challenging financial climate. The Pavilion is a magnificent building, a striking feature of the Clarence Park area that has stood for more than 125 years.
It is an outstanding renovation and we have now turned our attention to upgrading the interior.
Our aim is to ensure that the facilities are of the highest standard and accessible, so that all players, including women and girls, can enjoy a welcoming and safe environment.
Peter Mardle, President of St Albans Cricket Club, said:
We are extremely happy with the work that has been done by the specialist contractor. It is quite brilliant.
The opposition teams that come to play here are always knocked out by the sight of this historic Pavilion. They are going to be even more impressed now.
Chris Davies, Conamar’s Business Development Manager, said:
Restoring the Pavilion was a challenging task and we are proud of the work we have done in close co-operation with the Council and the Cricket Club.
We have given it a new lease of life, maintaining the original features such as the balustrade. It looks quite glorious and is a great asset to the surrounding community.
Pictures: top, from left to right, Tom Hardy, the Council’s Assistant Director (Built Environment); Dean Currell, Conamar’s Contracts Manager; John Webber, Co-Chair of St Albans Cricket Club; the Mayor, Cllr Anthony Rowlands; Andy Saunders, Co-Chair of St Albans Cricket Club; Cllr Chris White, the Council Leader; Peter Mardle, President of St Albans Cricket Club; and Chris Davies, Conamar’s Business Development Manager. Bottom, the group above joined by St Albans Cricket Club players; the 1894 opening of the Clarence Park Pavilion, from the St Albans Museums Collections.
Media contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer: 01727 819533, john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.