A ten year wait for new sports
facilities in Leyburn is coming to an end.
Funding for a £150,000 all weather pitch at
The Wensleydale School and Sixth Form has been secured after
Richmondshire District Council gave £100,000 to the project.
The facility - which will be used by both the
school and the local community – should be ready in December.
School governors signed the contract last week
bringing to the end years of unsuccessful grant applications to
Sport England.
“It has been a real test of patience - but we
are now ready to go,” said Project Manager, Lee Wasden of The
Wensleydale School and Sixth Form.
“It is a very exciting project – youngsters
coming back to school after half term can see building work
underway! And they should be playing on it before the
end of the year. ”
And Councillor John Blackie, Leader of
Richmondshire District Council added: “It seems
incredible that it has taken ten long years to get to here.
There have been disappointments along the way with several failed
applications to Sport England.
“But the one constant throughout has been the
support of Richmondshire District Council - the residents of
Leyburn and the Dale, as well as students at The Wensleydale School
and Sixth Form, have always been able to count on our £100,000
contribution.
“Soon they will be able to enjoy a high
quality sporting facility, nothing less than they
deserve.”
The new pitch will be suitable for football,
hockey and practice netball, and will be floodlit to provide winter
and night time community use.
Phil Benaiges, Headteacher of The Wensleydale
School and Sixth Form commented: “We are delighted that we have
been able to achieve our long-cherished ambition of providing high
quality sports facilities for both student and community use.
“This is yet another indication that our
school is going from strength to strength. Not only are our
academic results now amongst the very best in the county, we are
making strides in achieving our ambition of becoming an effective
focal point for our community.
“I would like to take this opportunity to
thank all of those involved in bringing this project to fruition -
Lee Wasden, the Governors and particularly Richmondshire District
Council for their unswerving support.”
DOE - a specialist all-weather pitch
contractor which has built similar facilities in Easingwold
and Stokesley– has been appointed to create the facility.
The school will continue to fund raise to
provide equipment for the pitch. It has already had positive
responses from several local charities and community groups.
Interested organisations should contact Lee Wasden on 01969
622244.
November 1, 2011