A VITAL meeting is being held in Tavistock next week, which could play a key role in attracting millions of pounds worth of funding for desperately needed sports facilities in the town. The information evening at Tavistock College on Thursday February 8 will provide an opportunity for everyone in the community to learn about the £3.7-million plans. They include the construction of an all-weather pitch, athletics track, redevelopment of the sports hall and improvements at Crowndale. College principal Colin Eves said invitations had been sent to all sports clubs in the area, schools, members of the town and borough councils and their staff and to a wide range of other organisations. He said: 'We have been working hard to keep the public informed about the progress with these projects and we now need all sections of the community to come along to this information evening to show their support and enthusiasm for these proposals — and to contribute their ideas and wishes about the opportunities that will be available once the facilities are built. 'Sport England and Active Devon have been very supportive of this work — they now need to see that their investment will be put to good use. 'I hope everyone, young and old, from across the region will come along next Thursday.' Mr Eves said he hoped the desperately needed investment in sporting facilities in Tavistock would spark increased participation in all types of sport throughout the community, from the very young to the elderly, building on the ethos of a healthy, social lifestyle. Better facilities would also support the progression of talented sportsmen and women in the area. He said: 'The huge depth of sporting talent in this area is demonstrated by the fantastic achievements of individuals and clubs in spite of the inadequate facilities that the community has had to live with over the years, so the potential for the future is huge.' Mr Eves said he hoped construction of the track and all-weather pitch would begin in July and be completed by October — redevelopment of the sports hall should be completed by Easter 2008. The evening will include an illustrated presentation of the plans and a 'question and answer' forum. Representatives from the partner organisations will be on hand and refreshments will be provided. The redeveloped sports centre at the college will provide full disabled access, a new reception area, full sized state of the art fitness suite, dance studio, a café/bar area, new outdoor changing facilities, upgrading of indoor changing areas and the construction of two squash courts. A rubber-crumb all-weather pitch will be constructed on the college fields, along with a floodlit, eight-lane all-weather athletic track. Facilities across the road at Crowndale will also be upgraded. Funding for the project is being raised by a partnership including Tavistock College, Kelly College, Tavistock Athletic Club, West Devon Borough Council, Tavistock Town Council, Crowndale Recreational Association, the National Sports Foundation, Sport England and the Football Foundation. The information evening takes place between 7pm and 9pm in the hall at Tavistock College — anyone who is interested is welcome to attend.
