St Robert’s ‘club for the future’ set for reopening

Following six months of renovation work, St Robert’s Catholic Club in Harrogate will officially open their doors on Saturday, March 21.
NADV 1503093AM1 St. Roberts Club. Gordon Fabretti (trustee), Ken Wilkinson (committee member), Karen Morrisey (bar manager), Nick James (committee member) and Liz Alderson (bar staff), (1503093AM1)NADV 1503093AM1 St. Roberts Club. Gordon Fabretti (trustee), Ken Wilkinson (committee member), Karen Morrisey (bar manager), Nick James (committee member) and Liz Alderson (bar staff), (1503093AM1)
NADV 1503093AM1 St. Roberts Club. Gordon Fabretti (trustee), Ken Wilkinson (committee member), Karen Morrisey (bar manager), Nick James (committee member) and Liz Alderson (bar staff), (1503093AM1)

The modernisation of the club, which celebrated its centenary in 2012, came about following the sale of part of their old Harrogate Catholic Club last summer and developing the large area it still owned.

The club will now reveal their ‘more modern, up-to-date club for the future’ on March 21 and the club’s trustee Gordon Fabretti believes it has already been welcomed by the community.

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He said: “The main reasons for the club updating was that the committee felt we needed a more modern, up-to-date club for the future.

“The club was last modernised in the early 70s and, although it had been redecorated several times and had new furniture, it had become dated and a little tired.

“We also wanted to have a club that would be an asset to the parish and wider community and for all ages. The old club just could not meet these requirements.

“Already it seems to be welcomed by many people of all ages with membership climbing quickly and many others using the club for birthday parties, anniversaries and other family or fund raising events.

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“Young people will be able to use the new youth facility from April 16 so we will have accomplished what was planned.

“It was decided non-members would be welcome to use and hire the club for free and this has been well accepted and is, again, what was envisaged at the outset.”

After taking up temporary residence in the St Robert’s Parish Centre, members can finally return to their renovated club that now boasts a new modern and light lounge and a new bar serving a wide variety of drinks.

Mr Fabretti also revealed that the club is already proving popular with the community for different events and is hoping to develop a permanent youth facility for the parish and schools within it.

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“The club hopes more people will become members as this gives several worthwhile benefits. Ex-members should be surprised and pleased with the new club and are most welcome to visit and see what has happened to their old club.

“There has been a great deal of co-operation between committee, architect, builder and club members on design and requirements to arrive at what has been created.

“A lot of thought has gone into this new club and the committee and trustees hope the parish and wider community use it to their benefit.”

The club will be officially opened at 7.30pm on Saturday, March 21 by the Parish Priest Mgr. Donal Lucey.

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