A £750,000 new all-weather football pitch could soon be provided for teams in Bedale if funding can be secured.
Hambleton District Council is to undertake a feasibility study for the 3G pitch would be located at Bedale High School.
A meeting of the authority’s cabinet today heard that the council would commit up to £250,000 to the project in the hope that £500,000 could be secured from the Football Foundation.
The cabinet voted to approve spending £10,000 on the feasibility study for the pitch.
Cllr Paula Thompson said there was an appetite in the community for the pitch.
She said: “There is a growing demand for a 3G artificial grass pitch. There is already one in the area but it is not full size and [a new pitch] will obviously bring in more competitive sport.
“The usual model for delivery of this is capital provided by the council and a bigger contribution from the Football Foundation.”
Bedale ward Cllr Mike Barnigham welcomed the progress on the pitch.
Hr said: “It is clearly good news for Bedale.
“I know lately that two pub football teams have had to close because of lack of pitches in the Bedale area.
“Hopefully this will be a new opportunity for all football clubs in Bedale to be able to play on an all-weather pitch so I fully support this and pleased this investment and feasibility studies is to be undertaken.”
Council leader, Mark Robson, added that the community and the football clubs would now need to come together to show the Football Foundation of the need for the pitch.
At the same meeting the cabinet signed off on £314,000 in improvements to Bedale Leisure Centre.
A report prepared for the meeting noted: “[The work will] include the refurbishment of the health and fitness areas including the replacement of all gym and studio equipment, providing an up to date experience in line with the other Hambleton leisure centres.
“It is anticipated that the scheme will be delivered in 2021.
“In addition to these works a range of improvements are to be undertaken at the centre as part of the Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme.”
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