Leeds commercial design specialist unveils ‘pitch-perfect’ local cricket club project

Commercial design experts Design Tonic reveal their latest project with long-standing client Yorkshire County Cricket Club.

The award-winning agency has transformed the “iconic” cricket club’s first team’s changing facilities, adding a plethora of custom-made features and an all-important family room.

Having undergone a series of structural changes, the refreshed facilities are now modern and spacious with extra bathroom facilities upgraded to include an ice bath. The contemporary design pays homage to the club’s rich and storied heritage, including club branding and bespoke lockers for players to store away kit bags.

Yorkshire County Cricket Club has always prided itself on its “family-friendly environment” and grassroots training and the new family room takes things to the next level. Designed to enable parents and guardians to work and relax until training ends, the space includes a bar, work zone, entertainment area, and a full-size pool table.

Much of the furniture used in the redesign was donated by global search experts TH Daniels, which is also based in central Leeds. The project itself is a continuation of the work Design Tonic has completed for the cricket club, having previously designed the Hawke Suite and Long Room.

Former captain and English cricketing ‘legend’ Darren Gough MBE was invited to officially unveil the new facilities. Speaking at the launch, Gough said: “We are absolutely thrilled with the recent collaboration with Design Tonic. We wanted to improve areas at Yorkshire Cricket for the players and their families and travelling teams.

“It’s great to provide the players a changing room and family spaces like these. I’d like to thank the Design Tonic team and everyone who’s worked hard to make this happen. It was a nice moment for the players and the Yorkshire Cricket team when they walked in, and we want to continue to look at ways of improving spaces at the Club.”

Design Tonic founder Joe Darcy added: “Working with Yorkshire County Cricket Club is always an honour, especially when you consider how far back their story goes. The team at YCC are a pleasure to work with and really enjoyed working on previous projects creating the Hawke suite and Long Room.

“We wanted to celebrate the club’s heritage throughout the design, whilst keeping things modern and fresh. We’re especially proud of the ice bath and the family zone, which means visitors will want for nothing whether they’re looking to work or unwind.

“The players spend so much of their time practising at the club, it’s vital that they have a space they feel comfortable in, and we’ve certainly achieved that. We were so excited to see the reactions on launch day and who better to do the honours than cricketing icon Darren Gough; it was such a special day.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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