FOLLOWNG a decade without a permanent base, Preston Lodge Rugby Club has secured a home of its own, after sealing a deal to buy Prestongrange Bowling Club's clubhouse.

PLRFC made the purchase last Friday and the club is already working to get the space ready for its first members' event, a curry and music night, which is planned for next Saturday (April 6).

The Prestonpans club plans to use part of the facility as a strength and conditioning area for players, while the function room will become a space for both rugby and bowling club members to socialise and hold events.

Johnston Craig, vice-president of PL, said he hoped the arrangement would benefit both clubs, with the bowling club known to be in financial difficulties.

"In future we hope to have the bar open at weekends, on Fridays, Saturdays, and maybe Sundays," Mr Craig said. "The bowling club re-opens on April 13 and we hope on that Saturday members of the bowling club will be able to use our rugby club.

"We are happy with the deal and happy that we will be able to work with the bowling club. We don't want to put them out, we want them to spend money at the clubhouse." PL is now working to spruce the clubhouse up ahead of its opening, with volunteers cleaning and painting the premises.

The club has also secured gym equipment for a bargain price after closure-hit Cockenzie Power Station put its equipment up for sale on eBay.

With the gym equipment moved in, the club is now waiting to re-floor the fitness area before it will be ready for players to use.

Now that the club, which plays at Pennypit Park, had secured the premises, the committee hoped to access funding streams to cover the cost of improvements.

PL took the decision to sell its former clubhouse at Rope Walk - whch has since been demolished - a decade ago due to the high cost of repairing and maintaining the building. The club moved to the Pennypit Centre and most recently used The Gothenburg pub as a base.

When former mine works meant that a plan to construct a strength and conditioning facility at the side of the club's pitch would be too costly, the club began to explore alternative locations, eventually leading it to the Prestongrange clubhouse.

"This gives us a different facility," Mr Craig said.

"We'll have to make use of it, that is the challenge, but we are looking forward to it, it's an added bonus." While the club's new home is five to 10 minutes' walk from its playing grounds, Mr Craig said he was hopeful that members and supporters would make the short journey.

George Arnot, a trustee of the bowling club, said the sale had resolved their recent financial difficulties.

"We are very happy and the rugby club are very happy," he said.

"One benefit is that we are a summer sport and rugby is a winter sport. We are hoping to work together, sharing the same area. There is a general all-round feeling of togetherness." Former club president JD Porteous will throw the first jack on the club's opening day on April 13.