Future has become a lot brighter for Llandaff North since it had to ask for donations to deal with lockdown losses
LLANDAFF North rugby club is hoping to cut its electricity bills by 50%, using new solar panels.
About £4,000 in donations was raised by the community after the club struggled in lockdown – but now the future looks much brighter.
Kevin Lewis, the club’s commercial director, said the club hoped to cut costs by between £8,000 and £10,000 every year. The panels cost £29,000 to install but the club received a £10,000 grant from Sport Wales towards the cost.
“We are only a small club, and we have obviously got to watch the pennies. Our bills are incredibly high, so we are hoping the solar panels will help with that.
“Finances are getting a bit better, but we need to think of ways of saving. The solar panels were probably the quickest fix we got,” said Mr Lewis.
“The future now is looking a lot brighter with the solar panels,” said club secretary Stephen Wall.
The Cardiffian first reported the club’s ambition to install the panels in February 2024.
The club will use the money saved to pay off debts. But by being more cost-effective, the club hopes to be able to provide more services for the community.
Mr Lewis said the club wants to improve the changing rooms and upgrade the toilets to accommodate wheelchair users.
It also wants to host more community events and open a coffee shop.
“This club caters for everyone,” said Mr Lewis. “People come in, see their friends, have a chat.”
Any solar electricity not used outside the rugby season will be fed back to the National Grid.
The Welsh government has a target to make Wales net-zero by 2050 and it hopes the installation of more solar panels will play a major part.
“One, this is saving us money; two, it is good for the environment,” said Mr Lewis.
“I think we all have to do a little bit more for the environment. We spend a lot of money on electricity. We have a lot we need to heat. If everyone does a little bit, it just helps.”
Mr Lewis said the club now wants to install a skylight in the roof of the main hall to reduce the need for electric lighting. It also wants to re-line the club’s outside walls with insulation boards, and upgrade kitchen equipment like fridge-freezers to make it more efficient.
Club membership is still lower than before the pandemic, but numbers are gradually increasing every year, and it is attracting more players. The membership of 437 includes a large number of youth members.
“It’s like any rugby club – it’s keeping youngsters off the street. It keeps them off their PlayStations and their computers, and gets them out in the fresh air,” said Mr Wall.
“They’re out there, they’re mixing, they’re getting that sense of belonging to teams, and what it’s like to win and lose – life experience,” said Mr Lewis.
Both men believe it is important that the club remains open to serve the Llandaff North community.
“I’ve been involved in the club for 20 years. I’ve played, had a fantastic time and met so many friends for life,” said Mr Lewis.
- Llandaff North RSSC announces all club updates and events via its website and Facebook page.
