Hendersonville Standard
HENDERSONVILLE WEATHER

Sumner RFC working on field improvements




Sumner RFC members work on improving their Durham Farm Complex. SUBMITTED

Sumner RFC members work on improving their Durham Farm Complex. SUBMITTED

Sumner RFC will soon have a home-field advantage as they are improving their Durham Farm Complex in hopes of playing this season at Avant Lane. 

Head Coach Brian Silkwood and his team broke ground in September 2019, and after 10 months, they are nearly complete with Phase 2 of the project. 

Phase 2 includes adding restrooms, concession stands, and storage areas, but the biggest concern will be restrooms and are seeking sponsorships for the building. The team has the approval from the city for up to two sponsors for the restrooms. 

We seek one $20,000 or two $10,000 donations to cover the restrooms,” Silkwood said. Anyone who donates over $5,000 will get put on the donor wall and get a pop-up frame for the field on game days.”

During Phase 1 of the project, Sumner RFC spent $300,000 on building the parking lot, field, irrigation system, and running electricity. 

They also drilled roughly 300 feet down for a well to provide water for the irrigation system. 

Silkwood says the only part left to complete is to allow grass to grow and finish the parking lot, holding up to 100 cars. 

He admits that Phase 3 is down the line and could take up to at least five years before completion. 

The hardest part about Phase 3 is it is strictly hard dollars,” Silkwood said.

Phase 3 includes lights and equipment for the field. Each pole runs roughly $8,000, and the team needs at least 10 and as many as 12 poles. 

Silkwood and his team will spend over $400,000 once the first two phases are complete. 

If you would like to help donate your time or money, you can visit their Facebook Page, Sumner Rugby Football Club, for more information, or reach coach Brian Silkwood via email at silkrugby@yahoo.com. 

Leave a Reply