Go-ahead for £3.5m injured jockey centre (From Gazette & Herald)

Go-ahead for £3.5m injured jockey rehabilitation centre at Malton

12:00pm Wednesday 20th March 2013 in News By Karen Darley

A MULTI-million pound rehabilitation centre in Malton for injured jockeys will provide a major boost for the local racing industry and wider community, according to the charity behind the project.

The Injured Jockeys Fund (IJF) has been granted planning permission to build a second facility in the north of the UK, with former trainer Jack Berry, vice-president of the charity, spearheading the campaign.

Work is scheduled to start later this year with the centre, occupying a two-acre site next to Malton and Norton Rugby Club, opening next summer.

Lisa Hancock, chief executive of the IJF, said they were thrilled with the decision.

“This is a big thing for the charity and we are really pleased the centre is going to be built in Malton,” she said.

“A lot of work has been done on this project and it has taken its time to get to this point, but we are delighted.”

Lisa said the charity, which also runs Oaksey House in Lambourn, she that they were not anticipating opening any more facilities of this kind in the country.

“We are only a small charity and this is a big project for us,” she said.

“Our next step is to pull things together and get our fundraising underway, which we hope will be locally led.”

The land will be purchased from the Fitzwilliam Trust and the project, which will include a rehab centre for injured jockeys, respite accommodation, a fitness centre, amenity areas, car parking, and site manager’s house, is set to cost in the region of £3.5 million.

Lisa said: “People in Malton have been fantastic and we now want to get the centre up and running so everyone can enjoy the benefits from it.

“We have had so much support and it is great to be in a position finally to see it happen.

John Fairley, the Malton-based trustee of the IJF, added: “We’ve worked on this in Malton for some time and it’s tremendously exciting that northern jockeys will now have a unique facility to help them recover from and prevent injuries.”

Coun Linda Cowling (Con), leader of Ryedale District Council, said: “I welcome this development wholeheartedly.

“It will be a great asset to Malton and Norton and acknowledges the long association our towns have with racing.”

Jack Berry, vice-president of the IJF, added: “I’ve always wanted better facilities for jockeys. What has happened with Oaksey House has been so exciting and revealing and for this to now be happening in Malton is a dream come true for me.”

All fundraising enquires should be directed to Lisa Hancock, chief executive of the IJF, email lh@ijf.org.uk or phone 01638 662246.