MAJOR plans are in the pipeline for developments at North Wales' most established rugby club.

Ruthin Rugby Club, following local consultation, has recently submitted proposals with Denbighshire County Council for the creation of an extension at the club, increasing the number of changing rooms from four to six as well as the creation of self-contained referees changing facilities.

In order to promote greater use of the facilities by the local community, changes to the clubhouse area are also being sought to improve the toilet facilities, kitchen area, as well as the creation of an outdoor seating area. This is part of a major vision for growth at the club, which boasts a number of teams from the under-seven age group all the way through to youth, seniors and veterans.

"As phase one to this potential project, we have cleared all storage containers from the club car park, and are in process of commissioning a new equipment shed, thanks to a successful grant application from the Brenig Wind Farm," said Ruthin chairman Lee Sanderson.

Another short-term initiative is supporting the national drive for tree and hedgerow planting.

"I am waiting on a date for delivery of trees from the nursery, but our hope is too involve players and club members in this national campaign to combat climate change and aid in nature recovery," added Mr Sanderson.

Ruthin Rugby Club was first formed in the town in the 1920s, but this early club eventually folded in 1933 and was not reformed until the 1960s at the Cae Ddol site.

In the 1990s, the clubhouse underwent some significant rebuilding efforts following a fire.

Apart from some internal works, with the old bath being converted into a communal shower block, the fabric of the building has remained fairly static since those early days.

With ever increasing numbers of mini and junior players, along with the club being appointed as a ladies hub club for the Ruthin Ravens girls' teams, the demand for self-contained showering and changing facilities has spurred the need to develop the sites’ facilities further.

In another exciting development, the club will be welcoming cyclists from a charity challenge in aid of the Scotland legend Doddie Weir.

"The cyclists will be having a well-deserved pit stop at the club to refuel on their 500+ mile journey from Murrayfield to Cardiff," said Mr Sanderson.

The cyclists' goal is to deliver the match ball in advance of Six Nations clash between Scotland and Wales.

Cyclists will have a flag-waving welcoming party at Cae Ddol on Tuesday, February 11 at round 7.30am by a contingent of mini and junior rugby players before they head off for school.