A £2M outdoor sports centre for Malton is planned by a consortium of local sports clubs.

It would be developed in Old Malton Road, by the site of Malton Rugby Club. The money, says the consortium, could come from Lottery funding, sports funding, public subscription and even Ryedale District Council's £7m nest egg from the sale of council houses.

Malton and Norton Rugby Club, the Fitzwilliam Sports Association, with its soccer, hockey and cricket clubs, plus the Malton Tennis, Bowls and Squash Club have decided to pool resources to achieve the ambitious project.

With joint memberships of 1,000 and huge demand from young people to use facilities, the consortium came together to consolidate and maximise resources.

Spokesman Don Low, chairman of the Malton Tennis Club, said: "There is Lottery funding as the prime source and also money available from other organisations such as the Lawn Tennis Association and the Rugby Football Union.

"We met with Ryedale District Council on the day the Gazette & Herald ran its article asking about how Ryedale's money could be spent.

"It was light-heartedly suggested at the meeting that those resources could be forthcoming too."

Mr Low added: "This could be a great filip to Malton. As sports enthusiasts ourselves, we have a great hands-on approach. We come from the grass roots and we are building for the future.

"This could be a great feather in the cap for Malton and make it a place to be proud of."

Malton Rugby Club, which went to Twickenham and won the Tetley Cup, needs another rugby pitch. The Malton tennis club lease runs out in four years.

The site of the Malton Cricket Club pitch is not ideal, although it is becoming one of the best in North Yorkshire. The club also needs an extra four changing rooms.

In addition, at the new complex there would be a new squash court complex and new bowling green. New parking and disabled facilities are planned.

At the moment, the clubs are membership only, although everyone is eligible to join for an annual fee.

Initial discussions have been held with Ryedale District Council, The Fitzwilliam Estate, English Heritage and North Yorkshire County Council, says Mr Low.

"The eventual benefits for the Ryedale community at large make this a very exciting and challenging project," he said.

Everyone was aware of the difficulties ahead, especially the financing, but also because it is believed that a significant Roman site is buried under the venue.

It will take up to £3,000 to start off the project by having English Heritage examine the site and advise on how it could be developed above the Roman site.

Nothing can be started until English Heritage can show where pitches and development would be possible. Start-up money could possibly be available from Ryedale District Council special funds.

Said Mr Low: "It is one step at a time. It used to be projects started with turning the first sod. Nowadays it is filling in the first form."

Members of all clubs involved will be kept abreast of developments, and it is hoped that facilities could be in place by 2006.

Updated: 09:35 Wednesday, September 04, 2002