PLEASINGTON'S magnificent new three-storey clubhouse will be opened to members at the end of the month.

And the official opening - due to be performed by honorary Pleasington member and Blackburn Rovers owner Jack Walker - has been set for September 14.

Work is now almost complete on the complex with the remainder concentrated mainly on the interior. Apart from a much bigger and improved facility, Pleasington members and visitors to the club can look forward to new ladies, gents and mixed rooms, a new dining room, new locker rooms and a large upstairs room for special events. "We've taken advantage of the lie of the land to have the building three-storey on one side but two-storey on the other," said club secretary John Howarth.

"It's a much-improved facility and a clubhouse of which members can be proud."

Chief among those who will be glad that the clubhouse is finally ready is professional Ged Furey.

He has been consigned to a small upstairs room throughout the building period and is looking forward to moving across to the new professional's shop possibly next week.

"I'm ready for it, that's for sure!" joked Furey, disappointed by his poor first round in the Open qualifying this week which eliminated him from the reckoning.

"I think everyone at the club is looking forward to moving into the new building which certainly is impressive."

Dignitaries from local clubs will be invited to the opening ceremony in September.

The club is hoping to host various functions in the large room upstairs, primarily functions involving the members.

A number of options are being considered for the buildings used temporarily while work was ongoing.

"They may be knocked down to make way for car parking," said Mr Howarth.

"Or they may be used for flats.

"We are considering a number of options at the minute."

Previous sport story

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.