People urged to get involved in new sports village

An organisation set to deliver a multi-million pound sports village in Newark is appealing for the public to get involved.

Nottinghamshire YMCA has been given permission by Newark and Sherwood District Council to build a £12.3m Newark Sports and Community Village on land off Elm Avenue.

The plans include a 750m closed-road cycle circuit, 3G sports pitches, tennis courts, an athletics track and a skate park.

There will be a dedicated strength and conditioning space, a 12m climbing wall, a nursery, creative arts studios and digital media suites.

Nottinghamshire YMCA has said the village will combine community and sports activities unlike anywhere else in the UK as it will combine a myriad of sports as well as arts, music and food.

The development will be next to Newark Sports and Fitness Centre.

Mr Craig Berens, managing director of Nottinghamshire YMCA, said: “Now that planning permission has been approved we would love for people to come to us and talk about how they can be part of this amazing project.

“We are already in conversations with the FA, other governing bodies and Sport England.

“This is going to be a destination venue for sports and communities. We are hoping to work with some influential people and organisations.”

Nottinghamshire YMCA said the project had already attracted support and interest from local sports clubs and schools.

It said the project team was working with prospective backers to make the plans a reality.

By March, it aims to have time frames in place for the delivery of each of the three phases of the project.

The 3G pitch and athletics track will be built first.

'It will be a fantastic facility'

Nottinghamshire YMCA has already pledged £1.5m to match funds from charitable trusts and contributions, and has secured funding from Newark and Sherwood District Council and Newark Town Council.

Mr Berens said: “Local residents will be involved and communicated with at every step of the way and we are confident that this will lead to a high level of engagement and excitement in and around Newark.”

Nottinghamshire YMCA said it was delighted to be given the opportunity to help Newark and Sherwood overcome social mobility barriers highlighted in the Government’s State of the Nation report last month.

The report placed Newark and Sherwood 323rd out of 324 local authority areas based on education outcomes, employability and housing prospects.

Nottinghamshire YMCA said it would help Newark overcome these barriers by building and running the venue with a clear desire to recruit suitably skilled people locally.

District council leader Mr Roger Blaney said: “For more than 20 years, the district council has had a vision to see a comprehensive redevelopment of this site with a full range of sporting, recreational and social activities that could be used by people across the whole community.

“Last December, the council concluded that the YMCA was the one organisation that could turn that vision into reality.

“They have addressed all planning issues and we are delighted they have now been granted planning permission.

“It will be a fantastic facility and shows a commitment by the YMCA to our community and to its future well-being.”

Anyone interested in helping to fund the project can email mpr@nottsymca.org or call Steve Scott on 0115 8371871.