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WORK is progressing on a BD100,000 multi-purpose hall at the Bahrain Rugby Club which will provide state-of-the-art all year-round indoor facilities for the island’s leading netball team.
Apart from hosting three netball courts, the complex will also be able to stage five-a-side football matches, basketball and darts, as well as becoming a valuable community facility for art exhibitions, awards nights, shows and functions catering for more than 400 sit-down guests.
“Ideas and suggestions are still flowing as to how this fully air-conditioned and well-lit building could be utilised,” said Mehdi Honar, club chairman. “It’s amazing to think what an asset it will be to members and the wider community.”
Attached close to the hall will be an additional kitchen, bar and storage facilities at the booming club which is also home to Mano’s Restaurant, one of the island’s most popular a la carte establishments revered for its selection of steak dishes.
One group waiting excitedly in the wings for the building’s completion is the rugby club’s netball team currently riding high at the top of the Bahrain netball league.
Adult team coach Hilary Rowark, assistant head at St Christopher’s Senior School, said: “To be honest, nowadays netball is very much an indoor sport globally. Fortunately, the weather here during this time of year is perfect for playing outside but in the summer months it’s impossible.
“Once we play indoors, however, I’m sure it will cut down on some of the niggling injuries the players suffer because the outdoor surface can get very slippery when the wind blows sand on to the court.”
The structure standing approximately 40 metres x 20 metres and with a height of six metres up to the eaves, the facility will measure up perfectly for ball sports.
Work on the hall should be completed by the end of next month with an official opening pencilled in for the first week in May to coincide with a proposed high-profile rugby celebration featuring international stars of the game visiting the kingdom.
