16th June 2001, Cumberland and Westmorland Herald
(reproduced with kind permission of the Cumberland
& Westmorland Herald)
Residents of Appleby were able to view plans for the proposed £1.1 million sports hall for the town on Saturday.
Before presenting the plans, Appleby Alliance chairman Eric Wooff gave a
passionate speech about the scheme, which would be based at the grammar school
on land leased at a peppercorn rent for 25 years.
He described the drawings as a "vision" which had been created in response to consultation with those who would use the hall. He said the facilities would serve the 3000 residents of Appleby and the rural area surrounding it, as far as Kirkby Stephen and Stainmore, Tebay, Kirkby Thore and the East Fellside villages.
Guests who gathered at the Appleby Grammar School library on Saturday for the official launch of the scheme, which has been two years in the making, were told by Mr Wooff: "It will be a genuine community facility which will enable the development of a range of both sporting and fitness programmes that will benefit all age groups, all abilities, all year round, with special reserved provision for younger and older groups. It will create an opportunity for all members of the community to take part in sport at all levels.
"Provision of a site at the school creates a perfect link to the community, making the facilities easy to access by all. It will create a pathway for young people into lifelong enjoyment and participation in sport."
Mayor of Appleby Lance Thwaytes and chairman of Eden Council James Banks
performed the opening ceremony, before a short presentation from Gordon Savage,
vice chairman of Eden's works and leisure committee. There was also a visit to
the site of the proposed hall, followed by a light buffet.
The project will include a new purpose-built 33m by 18m sports hall, as well as the upgrading of existing outdoor courts to the north of the school. The scheme will include netball, badminton, basketball, volleyball, and tennis courts, with floodlighting for the outdoor facilities. There will be a five-a-side football area and facilities for fitness training, yoga, dancing, trampolining, table tennis, bowls, skating and archery.
The design of the building is such that it will be possible to build a first
floor extension above the changing area at a later date.
The project has the backing of Appleby Town Council, Eden District Council and Cumbria police.
Eden Council has already agreed a £300,000 grant, subject to other funding being secured, and bids have been submitted to the Sports Lottery Fund, Foundation for Sports and Art, the town council and some smaller funding bodies.
If everything goes to plan, it is hoped work can begin on construction in spring 2002. The facility is expected to make a minimum annual profit of £3000 once it is up and running.
EXCITING PROJECT: Looking over the sports centre plans are Eden Council works and leisure committee vice-chairman Gordon Savage, council chairman Jim Banks and Appleby mayor Lance Thwaytes.
SMILING SERVICE: Some of the students who provided refreshments, Ildiko C., Jenny A., Rachel B. and Kieran H.
SPORTING SUPPORT: Appleby Alliance chairman Eric Wooff (far right) and Appleby sporting personalities who are giving their backing to the project, with a backdrop of the school playing fields where the centre will be built.
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