THE Orange Croquet Club has been based at the Jaeger Reserve lawns for over a year but things just became a little more comfortable for the members.

The club had been using the brick amenities building at the Hill Street location but last month the new clubhouse was finished.

The clubhouse includes a kitchenette and disabled toilet facilities to ensure everyone is catered for.

Orange Croquet Club captain Helen James said it was exciting to have the new facility.

“It’s absolutely wonderful to have our new home at last. We’re very pleased with it. It’s lovely to have a nice warm room where we can have a cup of tea in between matches,” she said.

The slab for the clubhouse was poured in February and the occupancy certificate was granted a month ago.

Having the clubhouse has made Orange’s chilly winter mornings a little more bearable.

James said the clubhouse is a community facility open for all those who use the croquet lawns.

The club welcomes new members of all ages with the sport able to cater to the young and young at heart.

There is still more work to be done on the croquet lawns and the drought has made that more difficult.

But the club members are still optimistic and hope some much-needed rain will help their efforts.

Anyone interested in joining the club or trying croquet can contact Helen James on 6362 6344 or John Read on 6563 1238.