Work Begins on New Sports Facilities for St Ives Rugby Club

Work has officially begun on delivering new high-quality sports facilities for St Ives Rugby Club as part of a £4.9 million scheme funded by the St Ives Town Deal. The project will also unlock land for future affordable homes and extra care housing in the town.

Turf Cutting Marks the Start

The Chair of St Ives Town Deal Board, Andrew Baragwanath, and St Ives Rugby Club President, Ian Deacon, formally cut the first turf on the site of the new clubhouse on Monday, 29th September. Demolition of the existing grandstand is set to begin in the next two weeks.

The project is being led by Cornwall Council in partnership with St Ives Rugby Club and the RFU. Designed to meet Sport England’s requirements and standards, the development is expected to be completed by autumn 2026.

Also present at the ceremony were local Cornwall Councillor Andrew Mitchell, along with representatives from Ward Williams Associates, Stride Treglown Architects, Turner and Townsend, contractors Fox Construction and W R Sandow, as well as officers from Cornwall Council’s Town Deal Portfolio.

What’s Included in the Development?

Planning permission was granted earlier this year for the relocation of the clubhouse and training facilities. The changes will provide:

• A modern new clubhouse building

• A relocated sports pitch north of the current site

• Improved access and sightlines of the main pitch

Preparatory works, including surveys and landscaping, have already taken place. The next stage will see underground drainage installed alongside the demolition of the grandstand.

Future Housing Plans

The relocation of the rugby facilities will free up land for much-needed housing in St Ives. Outline planning permission has been granted for up to 50 dwellings and up to 70 extra care units, along with associated open space.

Andrew Baragwanath said:

“I am delighted to be joining Ian to cut the first turf to mark the formal start of work on this long awaited scheme. As well as improving sporting facilities in our town, this project will free up land to provide much needed new housing.

I would like to thank the St Ives Town Deal Board and Cornwall Council for supporting this project and look forward to seeing the opening of the new club house. I also look forward to the housing project commencing in due course.”

Local Cornwall Councillor Andrew Mitchell added:

“This is the start of a bright, new successful future for St Ives Rugby Club which the whole town can celebrate and be proud of.”

St Ives Rugby Club President Ian Deacon said:

“It is great to see work officially starting on this project. This development not only allows us to grow further on the pitch whilst continuing to support the local community off it, it also enables us to play our part in assisting with the need for housing in our town.”