GETTING fit at a Vale of Clwyd rugby club is just part of a major development at a site.

Clwb Rygbi Dinbych, on Graig Road in Denbigh, has been successful in its planning application for the creation of a gymnasium to be used in connection with the existing rugby club.

This application also covers the formation of hardstanding, landscaping and associated works.

It covers a complete re-build of the current gym to a new location on site at the club.

"The aim is to provide a bigger and more efficient facility to attract and accommodate more gym members (both playing and non-playing club members) and provide a more efficient training facility for all teams," said a club spokesperson.

Among the benefits will be improved training facility for all playing teams, with coaches better able to include strength and conditioning plans for players.

"Increasing the size of the facility will also provide better opportunity for use during team training sessions. This would directly impact playing performance of players who use it," added the spokesperson.

It is hoped the development could also attract new club members.

The work on the portal steel-framed building will be carried out by Dylan Roberts Cyf, of Llansannan and it will be located just to the left of the clubhouse when looking down from the car park.

This is the latest development in the upgrade of the Denbigh club, which has been taking place over the last four years.

Back in 2018, a sports ground consultant was employed and a feasibility report was commissioned to establish what works were required.

The following year, a schedule of works was completed by the consultant and three companies were asked to quote and a preferred contractor was appointed.

Grant applications were submitted to the WRU and Sport Wales, both for £15,000, and they were subsequently approved with the club financing the remainder from its own resources.

Training pitch levelling work commenced in the late autumn of 2019, but because of Covid the project was severely impacted with delays with the final works being completed last August.

Planning work on floodlights commenced in early 2020 and site meetings were arranged with three potential contractors who subsequently provided quotations and designs for the project.

Following consultation and agreement within the club, Abacus was appointed as the preferred contractor based on their design and value for money.

The project cost was £37,000 inclusive of VAT.

A planning application was submitted to Denbighshire CC and approved following consultations.

The following year, successful grant applications were submitted and approved with Brenig Wind Community (£8,000), Clocaenog Wind Farm (£9,500), the Denbighshire Open Space Commuted Sums Scheme (£7,000), Denbigh Town Council (£2,000) and a Grwp Cynefin community grant (£500).

The remainder was financed from the club’s own resources.

Work was considerably delayed again due to Covid but it commenced in December and was completed in January.