DELIGHT has met the news that plans for a £2.5 million “sports village” have been approved.
The Wyke Sports Village, which will provide new cycle facilities, sports pitches and a community building, will be built in on the site of the old Wyke Manor School on Wilson Road.
The original plans for the site were approved in 2016, but a fire in one of the existing sports buildings on the site, and its subsequent demolition, meant the scheme had to go back to the drawing board.
The cycle facility planned for the new sports village will replace the one which will be lost with the sale of the Richard Dunn sports centre in Odsal.
While the new Sedbergh Sports Centre, which is due open later this year, will replace Richard Dunns, it will not include cycle facilities.
RELATED STORIES:
The plans were met with a swell of support, particularly from the cycling community who had campaigned for the legacy of the Richard Dunn circuit to be safeguarded once the site is sold.
Mandy Parker, of the long-established East Bradford Cycling Club, said the “exciting new” circuit would protect the legacy of the iconic Richard Dunn facility, offering a range of different options for riders.
Meanwhile,Councillor David Warburton (Lab, Wyke) said it had taken a number of years to get to this point.
He said: “We’ve had a couple of knock backs with funding and also with it having to be called into the Secretary of State originally, but we’ve persevered and we are looking forward to work starting hopefully in Autumn,
“The local community can benefit - we’ve got the local rugby club, football club and cycling all on board - they are very supportive of the scheme.”
TOP STORIES:
Cllr Warburton said there has also been support from community and hailed it as another development for Wyke.
Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “We are thrilled that plans have now been approved for Wyke Sports Village.
"This is an exciting opportunity for a new sport development in Wyke as part of the council’s Sports Pitches Investment Programme in partnership with Sport England, British Cycling and the Football Foundation.
"It will bring a new home for local sports clubs including East Bradford and Shibden Cycling Clubs along with Wyke Amateur Rugby League Football Club and Park Avenue Juniors and Wyke Wanderers Football Clubs.
" The facility will include a new all-weather football pitch, three improved grass pitches, a community and changing pavilion and a close loop cycle track and cyclocross facilities."
Cllr Ferriby added: “This will be a great facility for the people of south Bradford and the whole district.
"We are committed to providing improved places to be active and play sport across the district.
“A key priority for us is for people to keep fit and active and providing good sports facilities for residents, schools and local sports clubs in their local areas is one way we can ensure this.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here