Dawlish News

TEIGNBRIDGE’s oldest astroturf pitch is set to replaced thanks to a £300,000 project organised by Teignbridge District Council.

The Dawlish All-Weather pitch at Sandy Lane has reached a grand old age of 20 and is believed to be the oldest of its kind in Devon.

However the pitch has started showing its age, and will now be replaced with a brand new, top quality all-weather pitch.

£145,000 of Inspired Facilities funding from Sport England’s ‘Places People Play’ programme, backed by the National Lottery, will cover nearly half the cost of the scheme.

Meanwhile Teignbridge District Council is putting in £105,000 and managing the project, while Devon County Council contributes £46,000 and Dawlish Community College picks up the remaining £4,000.

Work on the scheme is expected to get under way within six months after Sport England confirmed today that Teignbridge District Council’s bid funding had been successful.

Source: www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/Teignbridge-pitches-new-sports-project/story-16548698-detail/story.html#

Andrew Davis, Principal of Dawlish Community College said: “Our students use the astroturf for a very wide range of sports throughout the year including hockey, tennis and netball and so for our students to be able to have access to the highest quality PE facilities is very important to us. The new astroturf will really complement the excellent facilities that we already have access to at Dawlish Leisure Centre.

“In addition the new astroturf pitch and floodlights will help secure the future of sport and physical education in Dawlish, providing a much needed facility for both the Community College and the town which will be valued for many years to come.”

Cllr Ted Hockin, Teignbridge Ward Member for Dawlish Central and North East added: “The old pitch has served us well but we are all aware that it had reached the end of its life and I am absolutely delighted that the finance has been achieved to enable a replacement astroturf pitch to be laid. The previous pitch was extensively used and I am sure that the new one will help to keep the people of Dawlish both fit and healthy.”