Hillside Rural Activities Park takes off.

21 February 2005

At long last the Hillside Rural Activities Park looks to be moving from a dream to a reality.

The project will be run as a not for profit charity under the management of a recently formed company limited by guarantee.

The project aims to provide recreational opportunities to the local community. Specifically Leake Tennis club, Leake Cricket Club, Knayton Football Club, Hillside Scouts club and Borrowby Show will benefit in the first instance. Once the facility is operational it is hoped to stimulate other sports such as riding, badminton, climbing, indoor bowls by providing suitable facilities.

At present, the team has agreed the purchase of a 28 acre plot of land subject to contract. Planning permission has been secured for change of use of the land and outline planning permission for the new building has been granted. The land is located between the villages of Knayton and Borrowby in easy reach of the A19.

It is planned that work will start in October 2005 draining the land and preparing it for use as a sports facility. Construction of the new building will start in the Spring of 2006 with all works completed by the Autumn of 2006.

The team is heavily involved in raising funds towards the cost, which is expected to reach nearly £1million. So far, funds have been secured from Yorkshire Forward, Thirsk Market Town Initiative, and the Patricia and Donald Shepherd Trust. It is hoped that European, Lottery and other Charitable Foundations and Trusts will supplement funds from reserves of the member groups.