In October 1997, what remained of the old pavilion was demolished by the Buckie station of Grampian Fire Brigade as part of a training exercise.

The remnants were removed by more conventional means to clear the way for the new building.

On Monday 13 April 1998, the Club opened the doors on its new pavilion for the first time as over 60 people, players, parents and supporters attended an informal reception to view the premises.

The pavilion was officially opened on Sunday 28 June 1998.

Club President, Eddie Corsie, was MC for the proceedings, which saw short speeches made by Bill Hope (NoSCA President), David Stobie (National Lottery), and Gordon MacDonald (Moray Council). Mr Stobie presented the Club with a plaque in recognition of their achievement. 'Scotland The What' star Buff Hardie entertained those present with his renowned Doric humour before toasting the Club and inviting Mrs Edith Lawrence to do the honours and cut the ceremonial ribbon and an ice-cream cake presented by the Ice Cream Cabin, East Church Street, Buckie.

Mrs Lawrence is the wife of the late Dr Sandy Lawrence who sadly died at the start of this season. Dr Lawrence was a former Club Captain and was latterly Club President until standing down shortly before his untimely death. He was a prime mover over recent years in the quest to obtain new premises and it was unfortunate that he never got to view the magnificent building. It was therefore fitting that his wife perform the duty bestowed upon her.

After the formal part of the proceedings, guests and members enjoyed a fabulous buffet within the pavilion prepared by the Old Coach House Hotel, High Street, Buckie.

Highlight of the afternoon was a cricket match between Buckie CC and a NoSCA President's XI. The cricket was played in a lighthearted manner with drinks being brought straight from the bar to warm the souls on a not too summery day. The invited select team eventually ran out winners with the scores being 163 against Buckie's 119.

Many older players attended the event and indeed John Hendry was recalled to his former position of opening bat with Bill Flett. To be honest you wouldn't have known he hadn't played for the past 15 years or so.

With the recent successes Buckie CC has enjoyed during the nineties, cricket in the area has come to the fore with many youngsters (and not so youngsters) developing an interest in the game. Winter indoor coaching followed up in the summer with competitive games has done much to enhance this. For the first time in the Club history a senior Second XI was admitted to the Reserve League and they are acquitting themselves very well. Junior teams in three age groups are also in existence and friendly matches have been organised for them as well as participation in some short game tournaments.

One draw back for the Club was the provision of facilites. The post war wooden pavilion had suffered repeated vandalism and had been set on fire on three occasions; the last time leaving it in a dangerous unusable condition and quite frankly an eyesore.

Costing in the region of £75,000, the new building provides the Club with modern facilities to welcome visitors to Linzee Gordon Park. Electric heating is supplied throughout the building and the spacious changing rooms are well equipped. The central area, as well as being used for the traditional between innings tea, is ideal for meetings and the like and is served by a fully fitted kitchen. The building is carpeted throughout and has full disabled access and toilets. A 'score box' has been incorporated into the design and is sure to keep Dickie Brown warm on the coldest of days. An adjoining garage provides ample storage space for equipment and machinery.

In an effort to prevent the vandalism suffered by its wooden predecessor, the new pavilion has a number of security features as well as being of brick and mortar construction. Security lighting and an alarm system will hopefully deter any miscreant.

Funding for the project came in grants from the National Lottery Commission and the Foundation for Sport and the Arts with a significant percentage being provided by the Club itself. A sizeable donation was also received from Moray Council as well as their goodwill in overcoming some legal technicalities regarding 'ownership' of the ground on which the building actually stands.

The Club's source of income is mainly through a monthly Century Club, with members' subscriptions and donations making up a lesser part. A number of fund raising activities, such as race nights, coffee mornings and raffles were organised over the past couple of years all of which have been successful and have greatly assisted in bringing this project to a financial reality. These efforts will necessarily continue.

Many thanks must go to all friends, supporters and Sponsors of the Club within the local community and further afield who have contributed during this time and in the past. Thanks must also go to the members, particularly the Fund Raising Committee and Club Secretary Bill Flett for the hard work and perseverance they have shown in bringing this project to fruition.

It is intended that the pavilion be available for use to local organisations, particularly in the winter months, and is ideal for holding meetings, Bridge Clubs and the like. Any interested parties should contact any member in the first instance or use e-mail from this site.

Mrs Edith Lawrence cuts the ceremonial ribbon whilst Club President Eddie Corsie and Buff Hardie look on