1931 - 1934 The Sun Pavilion
The following information was kindly provided by David Holton of the Rugby Local History Research Group. http://rugby-local-history.org/
The foundation stone was laid at 2.30 on the afternoon of Saturday, 19th December 1931, by Mrs. H. N. Sporborg (wife of Mr H. N. Sporborg, Director & Chief Engineer of the BTH) on behalf of the Rugby Works Hospital Fund of the BTH Co. Ltd,.
The ceremony was described in the Rugby Advertiser as being 'a memorable one, taken part in by leading figures in the life of the town & hospital & the stone was dedicated by the Bishop Of Coventry (Dr. Mervyn Haigh).' The B.T.H. military band was present at proceedings, as were B.T.H. Fire brigade, Rugby Group of Boy Scouts, the Girls Life Brigade, the Boys Brigade and the Rugby Girl Guides.
The Rugby Works Hospital Fund had guaranteed to raise the monies required for the building of the Sun Pavilion (quoted at £13,000). Architect was Mr. W.T. Loveday & the builders were Messrs. Foster and Dicksee of James Street, Rugby. Mrs, Sporborg was thanked by Lord Feilding J.P. (Chairman of the hospital board of Management) as well as all the workers & helpers at the B.T.H. works.
Note regarding Mr & Mrs Sporborg. They were both of American birth, moving to the town as newlyweds in 1902, Mr. Sporborg was originally on loan from the General Electric Company in New York to assist as Traction Engineer in the early days of the BTH factory in Rugby. They however chose to settle in the town with Mr. Sporborg taking over as Chief Engineer of the company in 1907, then becoming a director of the company in 1910. He became Chairman in 1944 until his retirement in June 1945.