A £50,000 grant has been agreed by West Devon borough councillors to enable a sports and community centre project in Lamerton to go ahead. The council?s environment and community committee extended its level of support to secure the complete funding package for the £519,000 new build at a meeting last week. The authority contributed £15,000 towards the centre two years ago. Money has been earmarked from the council?s major village hall grant scheme and its Devon Renaissance match fund. It is believed that this support will strengthen a bid to SWEET (South West of England Environmental Trust) for £50,000 towards the final £100,000 needed for the scheme. Lamerton Parish Hall Committee, which is leading the project, is also applying to the National Lottery Reaching Communities scheme for £50,000 and if successful, the money from the borough council will be withdrawn. Countryside and community projects officer for the borough council Rob Sekula said there was a strong level of support with £45,000 raised locally and a high financial contribution from the parish council of £72,000. The project had hit problems regarding the sale of the site of the previous hall and failed funding bids. However, the centre was downsized and financial contributions had been granted from other funders, including Devon Renaissance and Devon County Council. Mr Sekula said if there were any delays at this late stage other funders would start to get itchy feet, risking the loss of a potentially valuable community resource. The centre will act as an education establishment providing training for young and old and create indoor and outdoor recreational facilities. There has also been interest in using the centre from the mobile post office, doctor?s surgery, tax surgery and others. Cllr Alison Clish Green said support should be given by the council because the timing was crucial. Cllr Robin Pike, who represents Lamerton, said the hall committee members and volunteers had worked hard on this project. ?They have been let down a few times but have persevered ? they have had tombolas, quiz nights, fetes and even climbed Mount Kilimajaro,? he added.