Hereford Rugby Club aim to have new changing rooms and showers by the start of next season in the first phase of a development plan to update their facilities at the Wyeside ground.

The four-phase plan for the future of the club is based on the rugby format of playing four senior sides, a colts team, a junior section with age groups from under-eight to 17, and a ladies' team.

"The value of a broad-based club, and in a thriving junior section in particular, has been established as an underlying theme in the development plan," said colts chairman Mike Rowlatt who is heading the major project.

The second phase will provide a further extension of changing accommodation and the refurbishment of administration and sponsorship hospitality facilities.

Then follows an extension to the stand and spectator facilities, to be rounded off by the completion of improved car parking and updated player and membership accommodation.

It is a five-year plan at an overall cost in the region of £200,000.

Planning permission has been granted and the £40,000 needed for the first phase has been raised with the benefit of £25,000 from the Foundation for Sport and the Arts. Work will begin in the spring.

The third phase will, at the suggestion of architect John Bentley-Leek, restore the clubhouse frontage to the style of when it was first erected as the Hereford High School pavilion in 1931.

"The plans have been made to empathise with the existing structure and to be sympathetic with the surroundings," said Rowlatt.

Eventually the club will have the facilities to host their own major functions and provide multiple changing facilities for boys and girls when the junior section play hosts to up to eight teams.

Rowlatt said: "Membership will be driven through the thriving junior section and facilities will be created to match the playing strength of the early Nineties."

He also mooted another idea for full use to be made of the club throughout the year. He said: "We also looking to extend the use of facilities for the summer months. The site is a lovely setting for cricket.

"The return of cricket to the site would be in keeping with its history as a former cricket ground and add to local enjoyment of the amenity."