Workington RFC has launched a bid to transform its clubhouse ahead of its 150th anniversary next year.
It is calling on supporters and the wider community to help breathe new life into the clubhouse, which it said was the heart of the club.
Plans for the redevelopment have been shaped by a professional commercial interior assessment and are focused on three key areas.
The entrance and external areas will be redesigned to create a more welcoming first impression, with new signs and safer, more accessible access from the car park.
Inside, the main social space will be refreshed, with new flooring, upgraded ceilings, improved lighting and reconfigured seating. New patio doors are also planned to bring in natural light and connect the space to the pitches outside.
There are also proposals to relocate the EV charging point away from the entrance for safety reasons, install a new glass-fronted doorway, and improve external signage so visitors can find the club more easily.
The club has set an initial crowdfunding target of £5,000, which will help unlock a confirmed £10,000 grant from the Rugby Football Union’s Spaces for All programme, alongside a £5,000 application to the Cumbria Community Foundation and £5,000 in in-kind support from contractors.
If further funding is raised, additional upgrades will include refurbishing the men’s toile and, at higher levels, a full reconfiguration of all toilet facilities to improve accessibility and expand provision for women and disabled users.
In total, the project is estimated to cost around £25,000.
Founded in 1877, Workington RFC has long been a cornerstone of the town, bringing together generations of families through rugby, community programmes and social events at the Ellis Ground.
While the club has invested heavily in facilities in recent years, leaders said the clubhouse had been left behind.
A spokesman said: “For 150 years, the Ellis has been our home. We’ve secured the game, invested in the future, and strengthened our community, but now we need to invest in the space that brings it all together.”
Over the past 10 years, the club has delivered a series of major improvements to its grounds and infrastructure, it said.
Modern changing rooms were built in 2017, followed by new floodlights on the main pitch in 2021, solar panels as part of a push towards sustainability.
EV charging and battery storage were added in 2022, while 2024 saw new paddock floodlighting and the replacement of ageing storage containers.
Most recently, investment has gone into pitch maintenance and improved street lighting to ensure safer access for families.
The spokesman added: “We’ve made huge strides, but the clubhouse – the place where players, families and supporters come together – no longer reflects who we are.”
The women’s team has reached three National Plate finals between 2022 and 2025, lifting the trophy twice. Meanwhile, the youth team are recent County Cup winners, representing a strong future for grassroots rugby in the area.
Beyond sport, the club has also been recognised for its community outreach, including its social initiative The Man I Want to Become, which supports wellbeing and personal development.
To support the club, visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/zebras150
