THIS week the Gazette & Herald launches a major campaign give Ryedale a sporting chance.
The paper has joined forces with Malton School to fight for a much-needed sports centre in the Malton and Norton area.
Ryedale District Councillors delivered a slap in the face to campaigners last week when they rejected plans for the centre, which has been 30 years in the pipeline.
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But we are saying: this is not the end.
With the right support from the public and businesses, we believe it is still possible to secure a four-court sports hall and Astroturf pitch for local schools and the community to be built at Malton School.
The plan still has:
* Outline planning permission.
* Matched funding to support a bid to the Football Foundation for a G3 standard Astroturf pitch.
* The potential of raising more funds through sale of land
* A chance of lower-level funding from the district council.
To send out a strong message and kick-start the campaign, members of the public can register their personal support with a £10 donation to the appeal fund.
Local businesses can support the project through offers of services in kind or through donations.
The headteacher of Malton School, Rob Williams, said: "In the aftermath of the disappointing decision by Ryedale District Council, there remain a number of positives that those committed to this project can exploit to deliver improved sporting facilities to the community and local schools.
"There are a lot of ifs' and buts' but there is also too much to give up on the whole project."
The editor of the Gazette & Herald, Chris Buxton, said: "People across Ryedale want to see a sports centre built in the Malton area and the council's decision to veto the plan has come as a huge blow.
It is unbelievable to think that we have been discussing the centre in the Gazette & Herald since the 1970s. Having been as close as it's ever been to becoming a reality, we must all get behind it and push to make it happen."
* To make a donation to the appeal fund, you can write to Mrs C Chapman, Bursar, Malton School, Middlecave Road, Malton, YO17 7NH. Cheques should be made payable to Sports Centre Appeal Fund'.
* To discuss how your business could support the appeal, please write to Rob Williams, headteacher of Malton School, at the above address, or phone him on 01653 692828.
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