Witney Rugby Club has shared pictures of the unveiling of its club shields on its new clubhouse extension.
The extension, which has taken four months to put together, was funded by a £50,000 grant from West Oxfordshire District Council (WODC) plus an RFU loan of £100,000, smaller grants from two Witney-based trusts and the club's own funds.
The club had a fundraising target of £250,000.
It was built by main contractors Pentland and Chandler with local businesses working on the plumbing, electrics and windows.
Club chairman Bob Fisk said: "A lot of our members and supporters gave their time and expertise to help keep the costs down. As an example Silverback Access of Faringdon did the whole scaffolding project as a gift to the club.
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"We now have to equip the extension with furniture and see how it operates."
The extension will be officially opened with a lunch on September 17 for members of the trusts, council and RFU.
The extension drew expressions of admiration on the club's Facebook page.
Jason Randell was one of many who commented: "Seriously…how cool is that? Looks flippin AMAZING!!! I remember going to "The Hut" (I think it was called that…it was like a tin shed!) in Dark Lane with my dear Dad when I was little…and to see where the club has come to…
"I wish my Dad was still around to see it."
Mr Fisk said: “The need for the extension was identified by us as our membership is increasing and the tradition of providing after match meals for the home and away sides after the matches meant we basically had nowhere to sit.
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“The club also identified that the Witney Wolves, a SEN team, would benefit from an indoor space if the weather was too bad they could still meet up and have indoor fitness fun sessions.”
Witney Rugby Club hosts local events The Witney Colour Run, Wychwood Forest Festival, as well as allowing the Windrush Medical Centre to use the space for Covid vaccinations.
Mr Fisk said: “Clearly the additional space will also open the opportunity to other events. Witney is an expanding town with many new houses being built and WODC and WRFC realised the need to provide facilities for sport.
“WRFC is a not for profit organisation with all monies raised going back into the sole purpose of the club, which is offering the facilities, training and enjoyment of rugby in West Oxfordshire.”
The club currently has three senior men’s sides, a veterans side, a ladies team, teams in each age group from under four to under 18 and the Witney Wolves team.
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