Building work has commenced on Moseley Rugby Club’s much anticipated permanent grandstand.
Moseley plays in The Greene King IPA Championship, the winners of which enter the Aviva Premiership – the highest level in England. Moseley finished this season 7th in England’s second tier – their best season for more than a decade.
The Club has already moved its former 650 seat west stand and relocated it to the east side of its Billesley Common ground, making way for the new 700+ seater west stand complex. When completed in December, Moseley will provide more than 1,300 covered seats.
A ground-breaking ceremony was held to mark the start of construction.
James Morris-Adams, Moseley Rugby Club President, said: “We’re thrilled at the prospect of our new West Stand facility. This will provide our supporters and sponsors with a development that befits our standing as one of the top 20 clubs in English rugby.
“We’ve just finished our best season in many years and it is fitting that next season will see us being able to host visitors in a first rate environment. I’d like to pay tribute to the many individuals and organisations that worked so hard to raise the funds. This is a significant step in Moseley’s quest to get back to the very pinnacle of English rugby. “
The contract to build the £3.5million grandstand was awarded to Willmott Dixon. The two storey stand will also house a new clubhouse, match viewing areas, catering facilities, changing rooms for Moseley’s professional side, plus a weights room and a function room.
Six further changing rooms are also being built as part of the project for their extensive amateur and junior rugby teams; these will also be available for use by the local community.
The project, which is being managed on behalf of Birmingham City Council by Acivico Ltd, will also include the construction of a national standard six-lane indoor bowls rink for the City of Birmingham Indoor Bowls Club. This will replace their former facility in Stirchley, which closed in 2012. Community changing rooms for users of Billesley Common will also form part of the works.
Funding for the development has come from a variety of sources. Birmingham City Council is providing funding towards the scheme through funds raised from the sale of Moseley’s former ground, The Reddings, at Reddings Road, Moseley, and the sale of the former Birmingham Indoor Bowls Centre, at Hazelwell Street, Stirchley, to Tesco.
Moseley requires additional funds to pay for the fit-out of the clubhouse and changing rooms. Various fundraising initiatives have already begun, including a successful Spring Ball held at Warwickshire County Cricket Club and a buy a brick campaign scheme which can be accessed at http://www.moseleyrugby.co.uk/report_display12.php?menitem=305
Cllr Ian Ward, deputy leader of Birmingham City Council, said: “I am delighted that Moseley Rugby Club, Birmingham Indoor Bowls Centre, Sport England and Birmingham City Council have been able to come together to provide a sporting facility that will be used by Birmingham sporting teams and members of the local community. It is a Birmingham facility we will all be proud of.”
Willmott Dixon were appointed to the scheme through the Constructing West Midlands Framework, a regional construction delivery vehicle for public sector organisations throughout the West Midlands region.
Nick Gibb, pre-construction director at Willmott Dixon, said: “The development of the grandstand at Billesley Common is a major step forward in the city’s ambitions to develop a community sports hub. It’s a fantastic project for the club and the local community and we are bowled over to be involved.”