See the Designs for Fakenham Sports Centre

Copyright NNDC

Fakenham people get the chance this week to see how their proposed new £2.4 million sports centre could look, at a one-day exhibition in the town.

Representatives from the Fakenham Sports Centre partnership organisations will be on hand to discuss the project with members of the public, and there will be displays showing what the centre could look like, what facilities will be provided there for people of all ages, and why it is needed.

The exhibition is from 2 to 8pm at Fakenham Learning Centre, Norwich Street, on Thursday, 10 October.

The plan for a new sports centre has received 'Stage 1' approval from the Sports Lottery Fund, meaning the Fund has agreed in principle with the scheme and wants to see more detailed designs before making a final decision on whether it will give funding, and how much it will give.

Officers from North Norfolk District Council and Norfolk County Council are now working with architects and consultants to draw up a 'Stage 2' bid for around 65 per cent of the cost of the scheme , which will be submitted in December. The Sports Lottery Fund is expected to make its decision by February, and, if the bid is successful, construction work could start soon after.

At the same time, detailed planning permission is being sought for the Trap Lane playing field site in readiness for the outcome of the Stage 2 submission (outline planning permission has already been granted).

District Councillor Brenda Coldrick, who chairs the partnership, said: "It is exciting to think that we could have a new facility being built next spring. I hope people from Fakenham and the surrounding area will come and see what facilities might be available to them."

• At 4.30pm on Thursday, 10 October, at the exhibition at Fakenham Learning Centre, Fakenham High School will present a cheque for around £2400 to Brenda Coldrick, which its students raised with a sponsored run around the proposed sports centre site.

NOTES FOR EDITOR

An artist's impression of the proposed building is available by email/ISDN from the PR Unit at NNDC. Call Nick Manthorpe or email nmanthorpe@north-norfolk.gov.uk on (01263) 516059 for a copy.