A TEMPORARY bridging loan has been requested to ensure a community games area is opened at Askrigg, in Wensleydale, in the spring.

Yorebridge Sports Development Association began work last month and plans to complete construction by April.

The £228,000 development, on disused tennis courts at the former Yorebridge Grammar School, will have a surfaced and floodlit multi-use games area, parking for cars and cycles and storage for equipment for loan to the community. The association also plans a bursary scheme for people wishing to develop health and fitness related skills.

Richmondshire District Council has been asked to loan the association up to £47,000 for five months to ensure the project can be completed. The money would be repaid when three main grants pledged are paid on completion of the scheme.

Finance officers have recommended the council's resources committee, which meets on Tuesday, agree to the loan. The authority has already given £10,000 towards the project.

The association hopes the £200,000 games area will be in use by the end of the year, offering tennis, basketball, netball and football. A sports development worker is to be appointed and will have community sports equipment for loan, a development fund to assist with sports training and online booking facilities.

The project will enable local football and cricket clubs to extend their activities and will link with partners, including Hambleton and Richmondshire Primary Care Trust, to encourage people to take part in sport and physical activity.

Coun Yvonne Peacock, chairman of the association, attended the site marking of the development as work began.

She said: "This is a community project led by residents of Askrigg, Bainbridge and surrounding areas who are striving to bring better sporting and recreational facilities to rural dales areas."

Allen Kirkbride, chairman of the Yorebridge Education Foundation, which looks after the land where the development is taking shape, said: "We are delighted to be working alongside the YSDA to improve the facilities available. Sporting activities form an important part of Yorebridge history and the trustees are committed to ensuring this remains the case for many generations to come."

The development is part-funded by Sport England and the Big Lottery Fund, with additional grants from Yorkshire Forward's Single Regeneration Budget programme, Richmondshire District Council, the Yorebridge Education Foundation, local voluntary groups and donations. Plans are already underway to provide changing rooms, gym and fitness facilities.

Anyone wishing to volunteer their support should telephone Colin Bailey on 01969 650060