WORK on the new 'Skipton Community Sports Hub' is due to get underway this month after the umbrella organisation, formed by Skipton Juniors FC and Skipton Cricket Club, confirmed it had reached its £750,000 fundraising target.

Skipton Community Sports Hub says the 3,500 sq ft building, which will be built on the site of the cricket club’s existing Sandylands clubhouse, will feature a function room, bar, commercial kitchens, changing rooms and referee / umpire facilities.

The existing clubhouse will be demolished first, before work on the replacement building gets underway; the development is expected to take around ten months, and is due to be completed by the end of the year. While work is underway, teams will continue to play as usual - but will use alternative changing facilities.

The majority of the £750,000 needed for the project has come through grants. With the Premier League, FA and Government providing £249,000 via the Football Foundation; the England and Wales Cricket Trust (EWCT) giving £100,000; and £382,622.03 coming from Craven District Council as part of a Section 106 agreement with Yorkshire Housing for its residential development at Burnside.

Malcolm Birks, chairman of Skipton Community Sports Hub said the hub was grateful to all its backers.

He said: "It’s been a long time since we first floated the idea of Sports Hub for the town, and so to be in a position to finally start construction is a huge achievement for everyone involved in the project.

“We’re extremely grateful to all of our funders for their support in helping turn our plans into reality. Thanks also has to go to the efforts of local fundraisers, who helped raised in excess of £15,000 for the project during 2022 and are looking to add even more to the total over the next few months.”

The new facility, which will be home to Skipton Juniors FC and Skipton Cricket Club, will also serve the wider Skipton community; with the Hub expected to host various community groups and clubs, as well as being the focal point for a wide variety of sporting activities.

Mr Birks added: “The Hub will be a huge step forward in community sports provision for Skipton and its surrounding areas, and we are excited about the opportunities it will provide."

The building has been designed by Skipton-based architects, Rural Solutions and construction will be managed by S Simmonite General Contractors.

To find out more about the Skipton Community Sports Hub contact skiptoncommunitysportshub@gmail.com