Grangemouth Stags pledged to provide increased sporting opportunities for the whole community when they unveiled plans for a £320,000 refurbishment of the club house and grounds (Tuesday 20 April).

Using funds granted by the Landfill Communities Fund for major development projects, the club's renovations will see a multi-use game area built at the Glensburgh ground while the playing, training and changing facilities will all be completely overhauled and an extension built to the function areas to improve the day time community use.

Grangemouth President, Alan MacKenzie, said last night: "Our club is at a crucial stage in its development, requiring positive action in several key areas: improving playing performance at all levels, refurbishing and upgrading facilities, and increasing the club's profile in the local community - all with a view to ensuring the club's future viability and long term success.

"The enhanced and extended clubhouse, together with our extensive playing fields, will provide considerable benefits for the current membership and will help attract new members from the local area."

Specific clubhouse improvements:
- Install a Multi Use Games Area
- Create a fully equipped gym
- Improve access and offer men and women's changing, shower and toilet facilities
- Extend the kitchen and bar area to provide separated and improved facilities
- Extend the social area
- Upgrade the car park to accommodate an anticipated growth in community use

The proximity to the Avondale Environmental landfill site qualified the club for the grant and ensured that the site's tax credits could be channelled into the club.

That, combined with the club's own fundraising efforts and support from Scottish Rugby and the Scottish Hydro club facilities fund, is enough pay for the club's transformation.

Director of Avondale Environmental, John Holt, said: "The Directors of Avondale Environmental Ltd are pleased that Environmental Body (EB) Scotland has chosen to support the development of community based facilities at Grangemouth Rugby Club with landfill tax credits made available to them by Avondale Landfill.

"This is not only a project local to Avondale but it will also be instrumental in offering improved sporting and community opportunities to a wide range of age groups".

SRU President, Jim Stevenson, who was persent at last night's unveiling, said: "Rugby in Scotland is growing every year and in order to continually attract and retain players and supporters it's important that club facilities are at their best to make the club environment appealing to all.

"I'd like to commend Grangemouth's outstanding efforts to secure funding and improve the facilities at Glensburgh. I'm sure the club will become an asset to the local community."