Sports clubs' anger over lack of changing facilities at Ruskin

A shortage of facilities and a delay in replacing closed-down changing rooms has led to fixtures being called off and is “stunting the growth” of community sport.

Sports clubs who use the Ruskin site include Pilkington ARLFC, Pilkington FC, Ruskin Park RUFC and St Helens Town Cricket Club.

With four changing rooms having been closed several years ago at the site the Bath House facilities were condemned last August, there are eight changing rooms not in use at the site.

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Club representatives have decried the lack of progress over the past five and a half months to offer alternatives.

It is understood the council in January has offered to install two temporary cabins from April this year.

A spokesman from Pilkington ARLFC told the Star about their frustrations and that the issue is hindering their ability to fulfil fixtures.

The club has 29 teams, running throughout the age groups up to the seniors team, and fledgling female teams. 

Bath House (Image: Stock)

“There have been eight changing rooms on site that have never been replaced, they can’t provide us with a fit-for-purpose facility,” he said.

“We have got access to two changing rooms on a Saturday and, depending, we’ve only two to four on a Sunday. That could be between 11 games, with 22 teams.

“We’ve got 112 volunteers registered, with 65 coaches giving up 10 hours a week over 38 weeks. We’re contributing time for developing sport, and the council are doing nothing to assist that.

“They are stunting the development of sport. The sports clubs invest a lot of time in the community, a lot of children and adults, and the council take five months to go ‘we are going to do it up’. What have they done for five months?”

Pilkington Recs ARLFC in action at Ruskin in 2021 (Image: Stock)

A spokesperson from Pilkington FC said sports clubs have been “disregarded” by the council, adding “they have no interest in it, they are not fit for purpose, it is a scandal. They have mismanaged the site.”  

Meanwhile, Ruskin Park rugby union club, who have been based at Ruskin for more than seven decades, has had to play games at another location at Parr Stocks due to the issue.

A spokesman from the club said: “I feel that our 70-year heritage at Ruskin sports ground has counted for nothing. A decision was made with no thought to how that would affect Ruskin Park, players and staff.

“Firstly the financial impact it had on the club having to play away for the first six weeks of the season. Then cancelled games due to the 4G pitch being unavailable at a day’s notice, no actual plan being made or plans definitively made. We have had promises made that have not been stuck to.”

They added: “There is still no definitive plan in place as to what will happen next year. We are bottom of the food chain at a place we have played at for 70 years.

“Every game is an away game technically and now we have lost the opportunity to offer our clubhouse services, revenue and social aspect on Saturdays.”

The cricket field at Ruskin (Image: St Helens Star)

When asked about the issue, a St Helens Borough Council spokesperson said: "We have secured funding to repair the Bath House and are working up the programme delivery timeline.

"In the interim we will be providing temporary portable facilities which we recognise may not meet the needs of all of the clubs. We understand this is a frustrating situation but we are communicating regularly to ensure all clubs are informed and involved in the process and thank them for their patience and their flexibility as we strive to make the repairs as quickly as we can. 

"Officers will continue to meet with the clubs affected to keep them updated as the scheme progresses and seek to resolve any issues as they arise."