Ashbourne Pavilion gets green light from District Council
(c) ARGSCP
Lib Dem Councillors give strong support to project to build the new Pavilion in the Park
'A no-brainer' was how Rob Archer, Lib Dem Councillor for Ashbourne South, described the opportunity for the District Council to underwrite this project so that work can begin before the end of the year.
The project has been the work of registered charity the Ashbourne and District Recreation Ground Sports and Community Partnership. Led by Chairman John Lake with a team of talented locals, the partnership has sought funding from a range of sources including the Football Foundation and the England and Wales Cricket Board who have between them contributed £0.5 million to the project. The final cost of the state of the art facility will be approximately £0.8 million.
The District Council had already agreed to re-direct money that would have otherwise been spent on maintenance of the old Memorial Pavilion. With S106 money from housebuilder Redrow this provided £150,000 to the project.
At the Full Council meeting on 26th November Councillors were asked to also promise an additional £175,000 if required so that building work could start in a matter of weeks. Both Cllr Archer and Lib Dem Steve Wain spoke enthusiastically about the project and together with other District Councillors voted to provide the necessary funds.
The Partnership is hoping that their additional funding applications will be successful and that they will not need to use all of the £175,000.