From Louise Raymond, Exeter 383578, August 06, 2008

AS THE Bejing Olympics get underway, a £3 million sports development is taking shape in Tavistock, which will boast competition standard facilities for Devon's future Olympians.

The work starts this month at Tavistock College on the construction of a competition-standard athletics track, a full size all weather football pitch and a redevelopment of the sports centre, including an activity hall, air conditioned dance studio and fitness suite, upgraded and additional changing rooms, a new reception area and community cafeteria. The outside facilities are due to be completed this Autumn, with the indoor facilities opening next Summer.

This major scheme has been funded by a broad partnership including Tavistock College, Devon County Council, Sport England, the Football Foundation, the National Sports Foundation, Kelly College, Tavistock Athletics Club, West Devon Borough Council and Tavistock Town Council, alongside local community fund raising.

College Principal Colin Eves said: "I am thrilled that after two years' hard work these projects are now being constructed, and will provide facilities of the quality our local community deserves.

"We will be able to host team games fixtures throughout the year under the two floodlit pitches and better meet the demands for indoor facilities for activities as wide ranging as dance, archery, carpet bowling, aikido and any other interests that come from the community.

"We would not be proceeding without the support of all our partners - regardless of the size of their financial contribution. Many of the larger contributions were made due to the commitment shown by the community in running the Bedford Mile in April 2007. Thousands, young and old alike, ran a mile along the Plymouth Road, raising in excess of £40,000."

"15 local sports clubs are already signed up to the Sports Hub that will operate from the facility. Funds have also been granted to appoint a development officer to support the development of activities to increase participation in activity across the community and help develop the more talented to enable them to progress to the highest levels.

"Now construction is underway we will form the community management committee who will oversee the operation and development of the hub to ensure we meet the needs of the whole community.'

"We are grateful to everyone who has been involved in the development of the scheme but special mention should be made of Phil de Glanville from Sport England for his advice and support, Devon County Councillors Brian Greenslade, John Smith and Roy Connolly, Mark Steed the Headteacher at Kelly College, Martin Exley and Allan Herdman from Tavistock Athletics Club and in particular Jan Scaffold and Tony Gilbert from Tavistock College who have undertaken the work on the finance, business and construction elements of the project."

Devon County Council has contributed around £1m in total, towards the project.

Devon County Council Leader, Cllr Brian Greenslade, said: "This superb new sports facility in Tavistock will enable local children and young people of all ages to get involved in a wide variety of activities, sports and dance.

"The success of this project is testament to the strength of partnership-working in the Tavistock community, and to the many individuals involved in the project who have worked tirelessly to make this happen."

Executive Member for Devon County Council's Children and Young People's Services, Cllr John Smith, said: "The start of this development is the culmination of a highly successful community project which looks set to benefit local children and their families for years to come.

"We are delighted to be involved in this scheme, and hope that these facilities will help nurture some of the talent that will participate in the 2012 Olympics."

Local Devon County Councillor Roy Connolly, said: "It is wonderful to see this fantastic proposal come to fruition - and I was delighted to be able to secure the £250k needed to bridge a shortfall in the funding, through the Invest in Devon programme. This was the final piece in the jigsaw, and it is gratifying to see this money invested in a way that reaches the heart of local communities - which was the intention.

"I really look forward to watching this scheme progress, and to seeing the end result which will give local people a first class sports facility for all to enjoy."

Jim Clarke, Regional Director Sport England South West, said: "I am delighted to have supported this innovative project with lottery funding.  It is particularly pleasing to see the wide range of sports facilities that will be finally achieved for the College and its local community. The strong partnership approach has definitely worked hard in developing our hub club concept and realising the sporting aspirations of all within the community."

Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: "The increased capacity at these outstanding new facilities at Tavistock College will provide far more opportunities for pupils and local people to play sport and stay fit. I am delighted that the Football Foundation is funding the new facilities with a grant of £492,818.

"It is thanks to the investment by our funding partners - the Premier League, the FA and Government - that the Football Foundation exists to support projects such as this one in Devon. I also want to acknowledge the Devon County FA's role in enabling the football part of this development to happen."

Ends

Note to news Eds:

Further information is available from Colin Eves on 07843 443246

Councillor Greenslade is on 01271 372065

Councillor Smith is on 01626 772223

The Football Foundation is dedicated to revitalising the grass roots of the game, constructing modern football facilities, developing football as a force for social cohesion and as a vehicle for education in communities throughout the country. Funded by the Premier League, The Football Association and the Government, the Football Foundation is the nation's largest sports charity with a £45m budget going straight into the heart of football. For more information visit www.footballfoundation.org.uk

Sport England is a non-departmental public body and National Lottery distributor. We are committed to creating a world leading community sports development system and increasing participation in sport. Sport England has been a statutory consultee on planning applications affecting playing fields since August 1996. We object to any application that is detrimental to sport, unless alternative provision of at least equivalent value is found elsewhere.  For further information on Sport England South West, please log on to:  http://www.sportengland.org/southwest