PLANS for a £1.2-million community sports and leisure centre in Tavistock have this week been boosted, following enthusiastic backing from councillors. The major investment would see a complete refurbishment of Tavistock College?s ageing sports hall. There would be a new extension, including bar and bistro facilities, a state of the art fitness suite, new dance studio, extra shower and changing rooms, squash courts, seminar/meeting room, disabled facilities and a new public reception area. The sports centre plans have been described by college principal Colin Eves as ?a unique opportunity? for the town. West Devon Borough Council?s environment committee last week heard corporate director Nick Payne ask members to back the plans by agreeing £50,000 worth of funding and a further £230,000 towards the creation of an all-weather pitch in the area. Cllr Ted Sherrell said: ?This is an extremely positive move forward, both for the college, for Crowndale and for the community. ?Certainly, Tavistock desperately needs this. Hopefully, lots of youngsters will use the facilities and will make it a habit throughout their lives ? I think it?s a positive thing for the whole community.? Cllr Alison Clish-Green remembered fighting 25 years ago to make sure land in the Crowndale area was safeguarded for leisure use ? yet still the area needed the facilities. ?There were huge battles,? she said. ?Here we are 25 years later ? let?s just do it.? Cllr John Hockridge said: ?This is something we really need in our communities ? not just for young people, for all people taking up sport. We do need to support this.? Mr Eves said he was delighted at the response from the council and very grateful for the early and generous undertaking of support. ?We are also very pleased with the positive response to our plans from local sports clubs ? and the wider community.? Mr Eves said final plans for the development have now been agreed and he was confident funding would be obtained to complete the entire project. ?We will be creating a first class facility which will undoubtedly broaden participation in sport as well as supporting the progression of our talented youngsters,? said Mr Eves. ?I am particularly pleased we will be able to include squash courts, as the development of racket sports is an area where the college hasn?t in the past been able to develop as much as it would have wished.? Mr Eves said involvement and participation in sport for students and the wider community was ?incredibly important? and the focus on sport would become ever higher in the build-up to the 2012 Olympic Games in London.
