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Hessle Rangers score big with £650,000 community pavilion at Bilsdon Park home

FOOTBALL is definitely coming home for Hessle Rangers after the successful completion of a new community sports pavilion at their Bilsdon Park home.

Following a six-month programme by the CambridgeHOK construction team, the official opening of the £650,000 project marks a massive milestone for everyone at the club as they celebrate its 50th year.

Sitting alongside their existing sports hall, the pavilion provides modern changing facilities for players and officials, showers, WC facilities, a multi-use club room, kitchen and office space. It also has external social areas to support community events and generate ongoing income to sustain the club.

The development aims to underpin the continued growth of Hessle Rangers CIC, which now operates around 47 teams and supports more than 500 registered players, including approximately 180 girls.

Interestingly, the project was delivered by CambridgeHOK Project Manager Mark Kelsey, who played a key dual role as both the main contractor and the client in his position as Chairman of Hessle Rangers.

Reflecting on the success of the scheme, Mark said: “Balancing the roles of project manager and club chairman was a unique challenge, but it also meant decisions could be made quickly and with full understanding of what the club needed. That helped keep the project moving efficiently and avoided unnecessary delays.

“There were certainly stressful moments, particularly when trying to ensure we stayed within budget. At times it felt like a huge responsibility, but that focus helped drive the project forward.”

Designed to support grassroots sport and serve as a wider community hub, the pavilion provides a flexible space for meetings, events and activities. It is hoped this will strengthen community engagement by enabling the club to lease facilities to other local organisations, including nearby schools and community groups.

Funding for the project took six years to secure through a combination of public grants, private donations and long-term club fundraising efforts - including:

• £250,000 from the Football Foundation
• £170,000 commuted sums from East Riding of Yorkshire Council
• £90,000 in private donations
• East Riding of Yorkshire Charitable Trust grant
• £20,000 from Allam Power
• £120,000 raised through club-led fundraising activity

Significantly, the club has already received recognition by winning a Chairman’s Award from East Riding of Yorkshire Council, as well as helping them to win the Club of the Season award from the East Riding County FA.

“The most rewarding aspect of it all has been seeing the reaction from the players, volunteers and families who use the facility,” added Mark.

“For the club’s founders, Pete and Janet Bilsdon, this pavilion represents a lifelong ambition realised. To deliver it in the club’s 50th year makes it even more meaningful.

“I’m proud to have played a part in creating something that will serve the community for decades to come.”

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