CRAVEN Area Committee has agreed to donate £10,000 towards the Coulthurst Craven Sports Centre development project.

Phase 1 of an extension to the facilities is the provision of a full-size, floodlit, all-weather pitch at Sandylands, with changing rooms, the full cost of that additional amenity being £723,000.

The initial development is part of a £2.5million package which will also embrace a climbing wall facility and improved, floodlit tennis courts, a gymnasium and meeting rooms.

It is anticipated that the provision of the new pitch and accommodation will increase sports centre usage from 100,000 to 150,000 visits per year.

Chairman Coun Irene Greaves said: "This is a project which affects the quality of life of Craven residents and very much worthy of a contribution."

Coun David Ireton added: "A lot of excellent work has gone on this, it really is putting Craven on the map and the whole team that has worked with it should be congratulated."

Roger Beck, Project Co-ordinator, said that he hoped that Phase 1 could be completed by June this year.