Newark Hockey Club's pitch, at Magnus Academy, to be replaced as school set to receive £240k loan
Almost a quarter of a million pounds looks set to be invested into Newark's hockey pitch.
Newark and Sherwood District Council's policy and finance committee voted unanimously to loan the Magnus Church of England Academy £240,000 to replace the existing artificial turf pitch (ATP), which is used by Newark Hockey Club, as long as the academy ensures there is a rainy day fund in place to safeguard similar action in the future.
The pitch was opened in 2001 and has provided playing facilities to the Magnus Academy and Newark Hockey Club since.
The pitch is a sand-filled ATP, which is one of the preferred surfaces for competitive hockey, but only has a typical lifespan of between ten and 15 years.
A report by a turf pitch consultant said it is at risk of failing its performance assessment, and now needs replacing.
It is the only one of its kind within a ten mile radius.
Newark Hockey Club was established in 1897 and has more than 300 members, and boasts Team GB Women’s Hockey 2016 Olympic gold medallist Shona McCallin and current Team GB Men’s captain Adam Dixon among their alumni.
The cost of the project was estimated to be in the region of £300,000 and it is hoped that the club will receive grant support of £60,000, which left the shortfall of £240,000.
It was decided at the policy and finance committee meeting yesterday (Thursday) that the council would help fund the gap with a loan over a 15-year period, in line with the life of the pitch.
However, the committee agreed to the proposal under the condition that financial provision is made so that in 15 year's time, when the pitch is due another replacement, that the school has the money to pay for it.
This came after concerns were raised by committee member Keith Girling, who said: "I do agree with this but I have some concerns, the club has 300 members and there's been no contribution from them or the school or the Magnus Trust.
"I'd need to see some allowance so in 15 years we won't have to buy them another pitch.
"I want to see that addressed before I can support this, and I think if we agree to just buy them a new pitch we're opening a can of worms for other clubs to come and ask us for that money, it's a great club but it's important to have this."
The district council's community projects manager Andy Hardy reassured members this would be a loan from the council, not a gift.
Member Roger Blaney added: "I support this application, I think Newark Hockey Club deserves our support and will continue to thrive for many years.
"I do agree that the Magnus should have taken action years ago."
Fellow member Paul Peacock said: "I'm fully supportive of this because I spend much of my life running sports clubs and it's difficult to get funding.
"Newark Hockey Club is an excellent club and it's got lots of coaches looking after the young people and keeping them fit, people don't understand the value of that.
"They love the sport and I'm really behind this and in terms of the finances, Sport England may come along and say it's been more than 30 years since we last funded this, so we'll pay for the new surface."
Newark Hockey Club spokesman Paul Halfpenny said he was over the moon.
"It's unbelievable news," he said.
"The club has gone through a bit of upheaval over the last few years where we lost a lot of players, but we're in a good place again now.
"As a community-based club, we do need a venue and we've got over 200 junior members and it's a thriving club, so we need somewhere for them to play as the health and well-being is so important."
The agreement is now subject to final approval.
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