PLANS to transform a century-old sports pavilion that is in need of repair have been submitted.

Ribchester Football Club wants to build changing facilities big enough to hold two teams, officials, child changing rooms, showers and toilets.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The proposed plans, submitted by Michael Farnworth, of Ribchester Playing Field Trust, include disabled access and storage facilities for football and other sports.

The pavilion, on the town’s playing fields near Pope Croft car park, was given to the club by Dutton Manor Lodge, 65 years ago.

It is in a very poor condition and estimated to be about 100 years old.

Grants from Sport England and the Football Foundation have been applied for by the club to help reach the £150,000 target needed to refurbish the pavilion.

More than £22,000 has been raised through donations and fundraisers to go towards the regeneration costs.

Chris Byrne, the club chairman said: “The new building would be such a boost to the club, we would be able to bring other sports to the ground and reach out to more people.

“Not everyone likes football, but getting a new pavilion would mean more people coming to the club and trying out new sports.

“The current building is in a very poor state.

“We don’t think it will last after the next season and we fear we would have to hire some portable cabins and we really don’t want to do that.”

In a planning document, an applicant spokesman said: “The proposals are designed to reflect and preserve the heritage of the site.”

“The proposed sedum roof finish will reflect the visual condition of the existing pavilion roof, which has built up moss and stonecrop over many years.”

The council will decide on the proposal later this year.