MCC plans £8.2 million Pavilion project at Lord's

Date released: 14 April 2004

MCC is planning an £8.2 million project to restore its historic Pavilion - a Grade II* listed building - to pristine condition in time for the 2005 cricket season.

Details of the plans are set out in a sixteen-page document that will start to arrive, from today (Wednesday 14th April), at the homes of MCC's 18,000 Full Members. They will decide whether to approve the project at the Club's Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 5th May.

The plans include the redecoration of the Long Room (with the restoration of the original ceiling mouldings and the two fireplaces), the construction of a new roof terrace (at the rear of the building) and the two Pavilion turrets being brought back into use. MCC is also proposing to: improve the rooms used by players, umpires and physiotherapists; introduce 'comfort cooling' in several key areas; and upgrade the building's entire service infrastructure.

If approved by Members, the project will begin in September 2004 and last until April 2005; the Pavilion would be completely closed throughout this period.

MCC's plans have already been approved by English Heritage and Westminster City Council - the local planning authority. They have also been the subject of meetings with local stakeholders, including members of both the St John's Wood Society and the St Marylebone Society, who have also supported MCC's plans.

Commenting on the project, David Batts (right), MCC's Deputy Chief Executive, said: "The Pavilion is one of the most celebrated, historic and beautiful buildings in world sport. We want to improve its facilities and restore it to pristine condition in time for the 2005 season, when Bangladesh will make their first appearance at Lord's and England will face Australia in another Ashes Test. If approved, this ambitious and expensive project will take MCC' expenditure on ground improvement projects, since its bicentenary, well past the £50 million-mark. It reflects our determination to ensure that Lord's remains not only world-famous but truly world-class."