Cricket club rises from the ashes with replacement pavilion’s completion

Olicanian Cricket Club has a new clubhouse at Denton Road, Ilkley, which replaces one destroyed in an arson attack in August 2019.

The property, which cost more than £500,000 to build, hosted a match for the first time on 16 April.

Ilkley-based architect Bill Horsley, of Horsley Townsend Architects, worked on the project for free. Nick Kenyon of Addingham was the main contractor.

“It’s been a fantastic project to work on,” said Kenyon. “I have worked with Bill Horsley on quite a few occasions and his vision and imagination always challenges you but the final result speaks for itself.”

Horsley said: “I think we have achieved what we set out to do. The new building is light, uplifting, and contemporary but very recognisable as a cricket pavilion. It takes full advantage of its enviable position with views to Ilkley Moor and the Cow and Calf rocks.

“The divergent pitched roof that slices through the function room, terminating at a cantilevered point, emphasises the view and gives the external appearance an individual character.”

The project was held up several times, firstly when the Environment Agency expanded the flood risk area for the River Wharfe, bringing the proposed site for the building into the zone and forcing the habitable space of the new clubhouse to be built on “stilts”.

Progress was further hampered by the increasing cost of materials and delays in their delivery and the whole process was conducted against a background of the pandemic.

Kenyon added: “It’s been a bit of a rollercoaster ride. We have had a few challenges with materials and price increases which has made hitting the budget challenging but we have worked with the club and with Bill to deliver the finished pavilion.

“It’s an iconic building and we hope club members can enjoy their cricket and have a great event space in the future. It has to go down as one of our most satisfying builds.”

The finished pavilion has a lounge area which can seat up to 80 people for functions, when not being used by the club.

It has a fully fitted commercial kitchen and a functional bar with a refrigerated beer cellar.

Olicanian Cricket Club president Mick Christopher said: “We’re absolutely thrilled with the appearance of the building and the facilities it offers us. It brings a new venue to Ilkley for people and organisations looking to host their own events.

“This is the club’s centenary year and we are keen to put a traumatic period behind us and look forward to a brighter future.”