Work starts on sports pitch after snow delay

The pitch, at Thirsk School, will be completely resurfaced under the £125,000 facelift with the floodlights upgraded to UK Hockey National League standards.

Contractors first moved onto the site in November to begin the re-surfacing work after the final funding package was put into place, but were delayed by the bad weather.

They then returned in December but were once again forced to abandon work due to the arctic conditions.

Hambleton District Council announced yesterday that the relaying work is finally back on track and set to be completed by the end of this month.

“After a tricky start because of the bad weather this work is now back on track and should be ready for players at the end of the month,” said Thirsk and Sowerby Leisure Centre manager, Neil Hellawell.

“It’s a great facility for the district and with its new surfacing and floodlights we expect it will be in even greater demand by users as well as being home to Thirsk and Northallerton hockey teams and a number of junior and adult football teams. The new pitch will be a great asset to the area.”

Throughout the construction work, the council has been working closely with regular club users of the pitch to offer alternative facilities.

The pitch is used by both the school and Thirsk and Sowerby Leisure Centre and hockey teams from Thirsk and Northallerton. It is also used for a seven-a-side National Football League, and as a training facility for football clubs in Hambleton.

Cash for the scheme has come from the council, which is providing £30,000, England Hockey with £49,000, local developers offering £40,000, and £6,500 from Thirsk and Northallerton hockey clubs and other local organisations.