Mid Canterbury Cricket has been named nationwide winners of a Dulux/New Zealand Cricket sports club makeover competition.
The prize, which will help boost the refurbishment plans at the Ashburton Domain oval pavilion, includes 100 litres of Dulux Premium Paint, a free colour consultation, $1000 of sports gear and a special visit from New Zealand representatives from the Black Caps and White Ferns.
Mid Canterbury Cricket Association chairperson Jane Fowles said the association was ‘‘just thrilled’’ to win as it would help with plans to reinvigorate the pavilion.
‘‘This prize, along with other generous sponsorship we’ve received, is integral to our renovation plans,’’ she said.
The association put in a submission for the competition, which included photographs of the work needed.
‘‘We had to provide the background to our project, some before photos and our future plans for our submission,’’ she said.
‘‘Given the history and legacy behind this project and the role we see this building has in our cricket community here in Mid Canterbury, we agree they made the right decision.’’
The pavilion, formerly owned by Ashburton Domain Oval Pavilion Charitable Trust on land owned by the Ashburton District Council, was taken over from Ashburton District Council by Mid Canterbury Cricket last year.
They bought the dilapidated building for $1, which also includes indoor training nets at the rear of the facility.
Since then, a community sponsorship campaign to secure funding, or in-kind support, has been ongoing.
‘‘We are still very much looking for sponsors, especially the sponsor for the naming rights for the pavilion for the next three years,’’ Fowles said.
A three year plan included shoring up work on the lounge and kitchen facilities so the building could be rented out to help generate income for further work.
Anybody interested in supporting the campaign was encouraged to get in touch, she said.
While a plan for the visit by New Zealand’s representative players was still to be finalised, Fowles said it was likely to be later in the year as a new season launch.
‘‘We will definitely let everyone know.’’
