Community Sports Hub in the Top League after £10,000 Boost

Ribble Valley Borough Council’s community services committee gave the go-ahead in May for the Longridge Sports Club to receive £10,000 in Section 106 money from the Tootle Green development in Dilworth.

The cash will be used to resurface the sports hall floor and refurbish two squash courts.

The sports club is based at Longridge High School and used by pupils during the day and the wider community at night.

It features a range of facilities for hire, including the squash courts – the only community squash courts in the Longridge area – a dance studio, outdoor netball courts and all-weather pitches, and offers various classes, such as badminton, pickleball, Pilates and Taekwondo.

Ricky Newmark, chairman of Ribble Valley Borough Council’s community services committee, said: “The Longridge Sports Club is a fantastic asset, offering excellent facilities and expert classes to pupils at Longridge High School and the wider public.

“This money will be used to refurbish the squash courts, which are the only community squash courts in the area, and resurface the sports hall floor, ensuring the club is able to continue providing community sports facilities for many years to come.

“And it doesn’t stop here, because we will be investing further funds in sport and leisure provision in Longridge over the coming months and years.”

Longridge High School head teacher Jane Green added: “Whether you plan to get fit and healthy, or just have fun and meet people, the sports club can offer a range of fully inclusive facilities and classes for users at every level.

“We are delighted to have received this cash boost, which has enabled us to resurface the sports hall floor and refurbish our two squash courts to a high standard.”

As well as the Longridge Sports Club grant, Ribble Valley Borough Council is spending £70,000 of its own and Section 106 money on a revamp of the Kestor Lane Play area in Longridge.

The council has also pledged £80,000 for drainage work at the Mardale football pitches in Longridge. A topographical survey is underway and the improvement works are scheduled to start in the summer.