A NEW all-weather sports pitch could be built at Tavistock College, at a cost of up to £700,000.
West Devon Borough councillors were hesitant about plans for a half-size pitch which they described as 'disappointing' for a town the size of Tavistock and instead favoured a full-size pitch.
Devon County Council is planning a bid under the New Opportunities fund for ten half-sized all-weather pitches at secondary schools in the county, which could include Tavistock College.
However, the borough council argue that a half-size pitch would not adequately meet the needs of the community.
The borough council's report states: 'A half-sized all-weather pitch is disappointing for a college the size of Tavistock.
'The college is the second largest in the county and allegedly, the eighth largest in England. There should be a full-size all-weather pitch if at all possible.'
The report suggested funding from a successful New Opportunities bid could provide 40 per cent of projected costs for a full-size pitch with changing facility, at a total cost estimated at £600,000-£700,000.
The remainder of the money would come from the £61,000 set aside by the borough for the project, other contributions and Tavistock College and an additional Sports Lottery bid.
It was hoped that the Sports Lottery bid could be contained to 30 per cent — around £200,000 — of the overall project cost, as this would increase its chances of success considerably.
An alternative option would be for an all-weather pitch with a new sports hall adjacent, although the overall cost would rise to around £1.5-million.
The long running project of a all-weather sports pitch for Tavistock was discussed at the borough council's strategic development committee meeting, last Tuesday (October 9).
Cllr Dick Eberlie said he was not in favour of holding over £61,000 of council money for the project. 'I don't think it is the part of this council to allocate money when there is government money available for something like this,' he said.
Cllr Margaret Garton was in favour of the proposal, though she acknowledged the procedure for obtaining funding was complex. 'It is an innovative way of trying to produce a pitch. I think we have to go along with the recommendations,' she told the meeting.
The borough council favours an all-weather pitch because it would be in regular use regardless of the weather conditions.
The outcome of the New Opportunities Fund bid will not be known until the end of the year.
The strategic development committee will receive a further report outlining the new position at the start of next year.