Rugby club announce date to open clubhouse doors in Invergordon
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Ross Sutherland Rugby Club hope to have their new clubhouse open for business in a matter of weeks.
The project has been in the pipeline for years at the Invergordon outfit, but the pandemic caused significant delays as well as added costs to put the finishing touches on the building.
However, with the 2021/22 Caledonia North Two campaign now in the rear view mirror, focus can turn to finally completing the clubhouse at the Naval Grounds.
Stags club president John Scott has spoken previously about his hope that the development will benefit the wider community, and not just the rugby club.
He wants it to be a hub for Invergordon and beyond even outside of sport, and he is confident that opportunities have already presented themselves ready for when Ross Sutherland can finally open their doors.
Of course, it should provide a benefit to the club on and off the pitch as well by giving members a place to socialise and plan ahead for the long-term future of Ross Sutherland Rugby Club – something that has been missing for two years.
Now, finally, the finishing line is in sight, with Scott adamant the clubhouse will be ready in plenty of time for the 2022/23 Scottish rugby season, which is currently due to begin at the end of the summer.
“I would think we should be finished in early-June, all going well, Scott explained.
“Most of the flooring is down, so it’s just a case of finishing off the bar, the kitchen and the shower downstairs.
“We’re more or less there. It’s taken longer than anticipated, Covid hasn’t helped in many ways – mainly with the cost of materials – but we’ve dug deep and worked away, so we’re getting there.
“In terms of the backroom team, our business development manager Alan McLean has been working away to develop new contacts and bring new sponsors on board. The whole pitchshide has got advertising boards around it.
“Linsey McPherson, our events manager, is ready to roll and has been working away on things to be ready for when we open, so it’s going to be good.
“It has taken a while, and it has taken much longer than I ever anticipated it would.
“It doesn’t help that we’ve got a few guys like myself that are seasonally dependant on when we’re working. That’s just the nature of our members, so we’ve just got to work with that.”
Ross Sutherland are also looking for volunteers to take up a number of roles in coaching as well as other areas of running the club.
