SPORTS clubs in Pool-in-Wharfedale are working together to build improved sports facilities.

A development group made up of the football club, other sports sections, the village hall committee and Pool School are busy preparing a bid to the Football Foundation.

The aim is to improve and create new riverside pitches, refurbish existing changing rooms and build a new sports pavilion. The group is applying to the Parish Council for £20,000 from the forthcoming Redrow windfall, which the village has to decide how it will be spent.

The project will be in excess of £160,000 and money from the Redrow fund will be vital to the bid being successful.

The proposed pavilion consists of four separate changing rooms with separate showers, referee/umpire rooms and disabled access.

Committee member John Wood said: "The changing rooms are a real must in order to accommodate the growing numbers of females taking up the various sports offered within the village."

At the heart of the village, Pool has a thriving sports complex, offering football, cricket and tennis to the community.

Mr Wood said: "All these clubs provide amenities and help free for the benefit of the future sports men and women of the village and wider community.

"Indeed they are the envy of many visiting clubs and are available for all villagers, as typified by the Pool Feast."

In order to continue the success and be able to bring on the next generations, they need to dramatically improve the changing facilities.

The present accommodation is now too small, outdated and not in keeping with requirements of the various leagues in terms of offering separate facilities.

The Development Committee is asking for support at the next village meeting in allowing £20,000 of the Redrow funds on offer to be put towards the scheme to build a multi-purpose sports changing pavilion. This will be sited next to the existing facilities adjoining the Village Hall.