PLANS for an exciting new £1.2-million community sports and leisure centre were this week announced by the principal of Tavistock College. The major new investment would see a complete refurbishment of the school?s ageing sports hall, plus a new extension, including bistro/bar facilities, a state of the art fitness suite, new dance studio, extra shower and changing rooms, squash courts, disabled access and facilities and a public reception area. There will also be covered access to the swimming pool and an outdoor ?washing down? area with direct access to the sports fields. The development follows the opening of the college?s £2.5-million international centre last year ? there are more big changes in the pipeline involving the rebuilding of other areas at the college and the roofing-over of the school?s heated outdoor swimming pool. Principal Colin Eves said the sports centre plans were a ?unique opportunity? for students at the college ? and for the community:?This is a fantastic chance to provide Tavistock with a facility the community currently lacks ? and deserves. ?For the first time the people of Tavistock will be able to enjoy a high quality facility and all the associated health and social benefits. The college needs to provide a facility of this quality for its students but there will be a huge benefit to the community on the back of it.? The fully staffed leisure centre will be open to the public outside school hours, during evenings, weekends and school holidays throughout the year. Mr Eves said: ?We obviously hope to build on existing use and provide a wider range of activities, supporting the development and participation of sports clubs and individuals. ?We hope the inclusion of a bar/bistro will encourage and support the social side of sport and provide a facility for clubs, who will also be able to use a separate meeting room adjacent to the leisure centre. ?We are also looking forward to the development of an all-weather pitch ? if the bid for funding is successful we hope construction will be started before Christmas this year.? Mr Eves said he hoped work on the new centre would start in July next year and be complete within ten months. Construction would be phased, to allow the existing sports hall to be used throughout ? disruption to community users would be kept to an ?absolute minimum?. Mr Eves said he already had 50% of the funding for the sport and leisure centre in place ? following a productive meeting, West Devon Borough Council would be investigating the extent to which it could support the project and the county council was also considering further support. Discussions were under way with potential partners, including sports clubs, and bids would be submitted to bodies like the Big Lottery Fund, Devon Renaissance and the Foundation for Sport and the Arts. A public appeal may also be launched for a small proportion of the money required. ?Obviously, all public bodies have a responsibility to the local community to support the development of sport and leisure ? this is a real opportunity for partners to work together to meet the capital investment, but the added benefit is there will be no ongoing running costs as the college will be responsible for these,? said Mr Eves. ?We are at the stage of drawing up detailed plans but we need to move to the next level and would welcome any views from the community regardings options for the facilities and access to them.? Any clubs or individuals who would like input into the leisure centre scheme can contact Mr Eves at Tavistock College on 01822 614231.
