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A Pavilion Will Rise From The Ashes
Work is set to start on a new village sports pavilion within the
next four to six weeks. The building at Kirby Playing Field will
replace a pavilion which was destroyed by fire in September
2003.
Since then football and cricket teams using the site in Halstead
Road have changed in temporary accommodation while all the
necessary funding has been secured for a replacement. The £384,000
needed for the project is now in place - and it is expected to
start work next month.
It is anticipated the scheme will take around six months to
complete. A sum of £116,000 has come from an insurance settlement
and Football Foundation has put up a grant of £151,000.
Tendring District Council - which owns the land - is
contributing £110,000 towards the cost of a building which will
result in a legacy for the local community for years to come. There
has also been £5,000 put into the project from Frinton and Walton
Town Council and a further £2,000 from Kirby Playing Fields
Association through fundraising.
The Football Foundation determined that the rebuilding of the
pavilion was one of its highest priorities in Essex. The building
will be brick-built and will include anti-vandal features. There
will be changing rooms and showers, as well as a community meeting
room and kitchen which can host a number of activities.
Pierre Oxley, Portfolio Holder for Leisure at TDC, said he was
delighted the Council was now in a position to move forward with
building the new pavilion. "The building will contribute towards
achieving both the National and the Council's targets to increase
participation in physical activity," he said.
"Kirby Playing Fields is a voluntary local organisation and is
an important partner which helps to deliver vital community
services and sporting opportunities in what is a rural area." Cllr
Oxley said he was confident the pavilion will help attract new
users and will be very well-used. Pat Morris, Secretary and
Treasurer of Kirby Playing Fields Association, said it was great
news that work on the project will start soon.
"Everything good is worth waiting for," she said. "I sincerely
hope that the pavilion will become a greater part of the Kirby
community." |