WITH the aim to construct an all-weather practice facility at its Thomas Lands, Georgetown venue, the Malteenoes Sports Club on Wednesday received a substantial sum from New Building Society (NBS) for the proposed project.

Seepaul Narine, the vice-president of NBS, presented $250 000 to Malteenoes Sports Club’s president Winston Semple at the bank’s Avenue of the Republic location in the presence of representatives of the two entities.

Narine said NBS is happy to contribute to the project, which will help to build its relationship with the club and aid in the development of its cricketers.

Semple, the brother of former West Indies batsman Keith Semple, expressed gratitude to NBS and explained that the project was stalled due to the inclement weather. He said the facility will be of tremendous benefit to the club since its players will be able to practise during the rainy season.

The estimated cost of the facility, which will have three pitches including a concrete one, is $3.3M and so far the fund-raising drive for that project has accumulated $1.5M. Excavation work will commence as soon the weather improves.

The completion date will depend on the weather and the response to requests for sponsorship.

The club, which was founded in 1902, is looking to develop the site into a multi-purpose sports facility which should double the current estimate.