THE future of Okehampton's all-weather pitch has been secured for the time being, thanks to a rejuvenation treatment to repair the deteriorating playing surface.
The short-term rejuvenation would give the pitch an additional five years of use and is considerably cheaper than a full renovation scheme. But after five years a more permanent solution would have to be found.
The all-weather pitch was built in 1989 and is situated at the rear of Okehampton College.
Use of the pitch is split between the college during term time and the community during the evenings, weekends and holidays. West Devon Borough Council has acknowledged that community use is strong, placing a requirement on the council to support the facility.
Stuart Lord of OCRA — Okehampton Community Recreation Association — who manages the community time for the pitch, said everyone who used the surface would welcome news of the rejuvenation work.
Mr Lord said: 'This work urgently needs to be done in order that there's a playing surface for the whole of the community and for college use.
'It has been a great facility to help groups develop youth sections and for developing minority sports, such as archery and badminton.'
Mr Lord said the high rainfall which Okehampton suffers from had contributed to the deterioration of the playing surface.
The borough council and Devon County Council will each contribute £13,000 towards the cost, and the work, which normally takes two weeks to complete, could be undertaken during the summer recess.
Due to evidence of undulation on the pitch, once the rejuvenation work is completed the surface will require rolling to ensure a serviceable and safe playing surface.
A borough council report has also proposed discussions with OCRA on whether charges for use need to be increased to allow the establishment of a renewal or improvement fund over the next five years.
David Inman, borough deputy chief executive, said the charging structure might have to be looked at if the pitch was going to cost more in resources.
Mr Lord said: 'We look forward to meeting with all our partners and finding a way to ensure there continues to be an all-weather surface in Okehampton.'
The rejuvenation process which is being proposed has already been carried out at the Royal Navy College at Dartmouth, and has been identified as an acceptable solution by the County's PE advisor following an inspection.