A 160 year old cricket club is hoping to bring its facilities up to 21st century standards in a bid to encourage more youngsters to take up the sport.

Gwynedd Council has received a planning application from Bangor Cricket Club to demolish its existing clubhouse and replace it with a purpose built single-storey pavilion.

The new facility, say the club, would incorporate a new club room, service facilities and changing rooms for both home and away sides at their ground near the Llandygai industrial estate.

In its application, the club notes that the England and Wales Cricket Board (EWCB) are actively encouraging all clubs to invite grants to refurbish or rebuild their current facilities in order to improve both the social and sporting side of the clubs, to help with member recruitment.

The club also says that economically, it made more sense to “start again” with a modern and purpose built facility, allowing maintenance funds to be directed more to the upkeep of the pitch.

It goes on to note, “The application is designed to allow Bangor Cricket Club to maintain the very high standards of cricket in the ensuing years and to encourage member participation, irrespective of age or gender.

“Without modern standards of kit and facilities interest amongst members dwindles and these proposals are designed to halt the exodus of youngsters in particular, which seems to be a national problem.

“The current facilities are essentially outdated and in need of considerable expense in order to maintain the building fabric.

“The standard of the pitch is assessed on a game by game basis and has to achieve a minimum standard in order to compete in the North Wales Cricket League.

“It was therefore decided by the club committee and encouraged by the EWCB that the most sensible way forward is to construct a new purpose built facility, with modern materials, energy efficient and with a much reduced ongoing annual capital expenditure.”

Its expected that Gwynedd Council’s planning department will make a decision over the coming months.