The mayor of Watford has formally opened new and upgraded facilities at a sports club.

Thanks to the sale of some of its land for flats, West Herts Sports Club in Park Avenue has been able to invest cash into revitalising its centre.

The first phase, which was completed at the end of August, includes a floodlit multi use games area, new cricket nets and other cricket facilities, a new irrigation system for the cricket square and tennis courts, a new groundsman shed, equipment, and a new fence along Cassio Road.

The club's ground are now visible to the public for the first time in 100 years.

Watford Observer:

Multi use games area

Watford Observer:

This fence in Cassio Road used to be boarded up

There is more to come in phase two which includes an extension to the existing clubhouse.

Dennis Lock, president and chairman of West Herts Sports Club, said: "More improvements are to follow which will help provide the local community with first class facilities in a range of sports.

"New members are always welcome to enjoy what will be amongst the premier sports clubs in the county."

Watford Observer:

Groundsman shed

After officially cutting the ribbon on the new facilities, Watford mayor Peter Taylor said: "I had a great visit to West Herts Sports Club. The new facilities are excellent and I know the local community will really make good use of them.

"It was great to chat with members of the club and hear about how well their many teams are doing, especially the popularity of cricket among young people in the town.

"I look forward to seeing the further improvements when phase two is completed as well."

The "desperately needed" investment at the club was made possible when Watford Borough Council approved plans in 2019 to build 23 flats on land the club owned.