WORK on a £2.5m sport project has begun at a secondary academy to create state-of-the-art facilities for the Easingwold community.

Outwood Academy in Easingwold received funding from Hambleton District Council and Easingwold Town AFC, for the ambitious project, which includes building a new sports hall and 3G pitch.

Work recently begun on the hall at the academy’s site and grants from the Premier League, the FA and the Government’s Football Foundation are helping to fund the new 3G pitch.

The 3G pitch – so called because it is the third generation and the latest in artificial pitch technology – will be available to serve sportspeople and teams from around the wider community.

Laura Eddery, principal at the academy, said: “We are delighted to be announcing the start on the building work on the new exciting sports project at Outwood Academy Easingwold.

“Once completed, the project will provide the students and the wider community with excellent facilities to use and will be vital to improving grassroots sport in the area by allowing the community to play a variety of sports in a safe environment in facilities that are fit for purpose.”

The new sports hall will provide a four-court facility, with separate male and female changing rooms.

Each side has accessible individual shower cubicles and internal entrances for wet/dry changing.

The building will also have a reception area to supervise the out-of-hours community use of the new sports hall.

Councillor Bridget Fortune said: “I am delighted that Hambleton District Council has been able to provide this £650,000 contribution to this project.

"The sports hall and the 3G pitch will be tremendous assets for the Easingwold and area community.”

Peter Nottage, Town Mayor and Chairman of Easingwold Town AFC, said: "I am delighted that work has started on the sports hall. This will bring great benefits to not only the students of the school but also the wider community."