Culcheth Sports Club is having a serious spruce-up, with the ambitious aim of restoring the much-loved site to its former glory without turning it into something soulless and shiny.
The club, which has also chosen to change its name back to the Daten, is undergoing one of the largest renovations in its 77-year history. Dating back to 1946, it was built by the UK Atomic Energy Authority as a social venue for its staff during the post-war years, helping foster the community spirit that still matters in Culcheth.
It was later sold to the community of Culcheth, with a covenant stating that the building must remain in village community ownership. That is reassuringly old-fashioned in the best possible way. The Daten belongs to the village, rather than simply being another building waiting for a commercial makeover.
Work is already under way, including re-panelling the walls and changing the grand hall curtains from red to black. The committee's plan is to turn the large hall into a premium events venue for parties, awards ceremonies and other functions. The ambition is for it to become the best venue in Culcheth, which is a bold claim, but at least they are aiming higher than another room with tired carpet and a suspiciously sticky floor.
The club's new committee says it wants to restore the Daten to its rightful place in the hearts of Culcheth residents. The surrounding green space remains a popular spot for sport and leisure, so the project is not just about making the interiors look presentable. It is about giving the whole site a stronger future.
A particularly important part of that future is the Ukrainian Family Hub, which has used the Daten as the centre of its community efforts since 2022. A smaller function room has been renamed the Sunflower Room and is being transformed into a community hub and kitchen, thanks to equipment donated by IKEA. That is a genuinely useful addition, not merely a decorative flourish for the brochure.
The committee hopes the initial phase of renovation will be finished by the beginning of March. Another space earmarked for attention is the area formerly known as the Tennis Rooms, which is due to become the Garden Room. It is mainly used during the summer, when it overlooks the tennis courts and playing field, and the committee hopes to unlock more of its potential while building on the work the tennis club has carried out to maintain the rooms over the years.
There is also a proposal to open the Daten as a community warm hub, offering a welcoming social space for people who need somewhere warm during difficult times. That plan gives the refurbishment a welcome sense of purpose, particularly when community facilities are being squeezed from every direction.
Ultimately, the aim is to bring the Daten into the 21st century while keeping its history visible. Photographs and snapshots from the club's past, including its 1958 black-and-white era, are planned for the refurbished walls. It is a sensible touch: if you are going to modernise a village institution, you should not pretend it arrived yesterday.
The Daten is on Charnock Road, Culcheth. Opening times are available through the club's social media pages.
This article was written by Tom Bedworth, Community Reporter, and supplied through Newsquest's exclusive subscriber partnership with its sister title USA Today. The original notice stated that it did not necessarily reflect the view of The Herald.