A £500,000 project to bring Brechin’s community together under one roof is nearing completion.
Known locally as the ‘Crickety’, the former Brechin Cricket Club social club will open under a different guise after Brechin Buccaneers secured the necessary funding.
Vice president Steve Dempsey said a number of bookings have already been received from local groups to use the facility on a regular and planned basis with interesting links being made.
A central feature inside the entrance of the Crickety will be a wall of photographs of people from the east end of the town which will preserve a snapshot of Brechin life for generations to come.
“The wallpaper looks fantastic and will provide a focal point for people using the Crickety,” said Mr Dempsey.
“It has many images that members of the community have sent in.
“We have been literally inundated with the response. The Crickety holds fond memories for many people in Brechin. It was a popular place for locals to meet and socialise.
“This is reflected in the thousands of conversations that have taken place on Facebook. It has created a lot of interest.
“We are confident that local people will be impressed by what has been created.”
Mr Dempsey said the building redevelopment is nearing completion and is on track to be ready by mid-February.
He said: “We are looking at the official opening on Saturday March 2 and plans are being made for who will perform the opening ceremony.
“The contractors have done a fantastic job in transforming the inside to maximise the available space into a suite of rooms and facilities.
“There has been a lot of interest from groups wishing to make regular bookings in this area of Brechin and they have now signed up to make regular use of the Crickety.
“These include two lunch groups, a toddlers group, a singing group and the City of Brechin and District Community Council.
“Discussions continue to take place with other potential users.
“Charging is being set at a level that makes it affordable for local groups to book and use on a regular basis.”
The building will have changing rooms, meeting rooms, multi-use spaces and a kitchen along with direct access to the Guthrie Park sports ground.
The refurbishment was described as “about more than just cricket” with costs of hire will be kept to a minimum to encourage use and support for the local neighbourhood.
Mr Dempsey said the ambition Brechin Buccaneers have for the Crickety is “more than just providing a meeting place”.
To raise the profile of the Crickety, a series of social events will be held over the coming months to encourage people to meet up and use the facilities.
The club is also looking at hosting events which will have a cricket link, which will in the medium and longer-term help to encourage more people to play cricket.
