Pavilion for the people

A council is planning to hand over a £200,000 pavilion to a community group.

The building, at Lincoln Road playing fields, Newark, would be given to a body representing people in Bridge Ward, with the priority given to use by young people.

Newark and Sherwood District Council, which built the pavilion in 1990, aims to hand it over as part of a government initiative.

It would become one of 34 pilot projects round the country.

The council will charge a very low price or offer a cheap lease.

Improvements are planned for the pavilion, currently used by local football clubs, a table tennis club, a dog training group, and the Everyday Champions Church, which runs a youth club there.

These groups will be guaranteed continued use of the pavilion.

The district council’s community development adviser, Mr Peter Sherlock, said: “It’s a long-term project.

“We want to improve and increase the size of the facility to meet the needs of the community.”

“It will be a facility that fills the gaps.”

Mr Sherlock said the government-sponsored charity, the Development Trusts Association, would be providing support, information and advice during this project, as well as training for those taking over the pavilion.

Mr Sherlock said the association’s involvement in the project would also help any bids for money.

The chairman of the Yorke Drive Action Team, Mrs Gill Dawn, who is a town and district councillor, said she was delighted the pavilion had been selected for this scheme.

She said: “It won’t just be a facility for Yorke Drive, it will be for the whole of the Bridge Ward.

“It’s a massive step in the right direction.”