Community sports centre at Malton could be open next year (From Gazette & Herald)

Community sports centre at Malton could be open next year

3:16pm Wednesday 8th July 2009

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)

MALTON’s state-of-the-art community sports centre – given approval last week – could be open in a year’s time.

The news was given yesterday by Rob Williams, head teacher of Malton School, where the £2.5 million centre is to be built.

Mr Williams said the multi-sports facility would be “a centre the community will be really proud of.”

He paid tribute to John Taylor, the then chairman of the Derwent Sports Association, which raised £50,000 over three decades towards the cost of the centre.

“I pay great tribute to Mr Taylor, and others like him, who have helped to keep this matter alive for so long.”

He said: “There are people who wanted to see this development for central Ryedale but on an alternative site. I hope now that they will come together behind this new facility as it is built, to ensure that it is as successful as we all want it to be.”

Mr Williams said there had been some complex issues over joint usage between the school and the public, and concerns by some neighbours. The result, he believed, was an improved scheme, moved to the western end of the school site away from the neighbouring properties.

“It offers the facilities required by Ryedale District Council at a significantly reduced cost from the original proposal, while still having an aspirational appearance,” he said.

Funding for the centre is being provided by Ryedale District Council, North Yorkshire County Council, Derwent Sports Association and grant-making bodies, including the Football Foundation.

Mr Williams said: “If all goes well, the centre should be ready for opening by July 2010.”

A delighted Mr Taylor said the new centre would be of great benefit to the communities of Malton and Norton. “It comes at a time when there is growing concern about obesity and the need to keep fit and healthy.”

He said the idea of the centre had come about in 1979.

Now he urged: “Let’s get the foundation stone laid!”

District councillor Howard Keal, one of the leading campaigners for the centre, said: “Over the years, every obstacle possible has been thrown in the way of providing the community with adequate sports facilities.

“At last, those have all been overcome. With this approval there is now something to celebrate and the project can move full speed ahead. All that remains is to make sure we achieve the right balance between school and community use.”

• Print
• Email
• Share
• Comments(0)