ILKLEY Lawn Tennis & Squash Club members have, by an overwhelming majority, backed the first phase of their redevelopment.

A special general meeting in the clubhouse approved work on a larger state-of-the-art fitness centre and improved car parking, pedestrian access and entrance facilities.

The project should start next summer and it is hoped it will be completed in early 2016 as part of Ilkley Lawn Tennis & Squash Club's growing role within the community.

Club committee members presented the plan, which has been five years in the making, to the members, who questioned all aspects of the development.

These included the commitments the club have made to the Lawn Tennis Association and Sport England, who are both providing financial backing.

Also discussed were the club's long-term financial plan and, following a lengthy debate, members voted by an overwhelming majority to proceed with phase one.

Club chairman Richard Bourdon said: "We will now set about the detailed project implementation planning and will communicate further to our members and neighbours as the timetable and plans firm up.

"We are aiming to begin building in late summer next year and completing in early 2016, but that is yet to be confirmed."

Bourdon added: "This development would not have been possible without help from the LTA and Sport England, who both believe, as we do, in our club's role in developing sport in our wider area.

"The building of a new fitness facility, with a larger gym and state-of-the-art fitness studios, will enable us to widen our membership and continue the growth of recent years.

"It will provide Ilkley and the surrounding area with a fantastic facility which will prove a great asset for years to come and will, we believe, be attractive to fitness enthusiasts who currently travel outside the area to larger commercial gyms, as well as being of benefit to our tennis and squash members."