Level of funding by YMCA towards its Community and Activity Village, Newark, gets called into question by Labour Group leader on Newark and Sherwood District Council
The level of funding the YMCA has made towards its national flagship Community and Activity Village in Newark has been called into question.
Paul Peacock, the Labour Group leader on Newark and Sherwood District Council, voiced concerns over the financial backing for the facility on Bowbridge Road, at a district council policy and finance committee.
He said he was in favour of the one-of-a-kind YMCA initiative but was worried about the commitment of cash contributions to fund phase two of the project, due to commence in March 2020.
“I am keen to see the financial input from the YMCA and brought to the committee how phase two will be funded,” said Mr Peacock.
“It was sold to members at the time that there would be major contribution from the YMCA.
“I am keen to see that breakdown, the money they are putting into it, and more clarity on the finances.”
Phase one of the YMCA project was completed in September 2018 and cost £3.15m.
This delivered the construction of two full-size floodlit 3G pitches, a floodlit six-lane synthetic athletics track and field facility, full perimeter security fencing, temporary changing provision and carparking to facilitate the early use of the site.
Phase two, however, which is described as a national first, is estimated to cost £9.4m.
It will provide education, recreation, professional sport, health and family-based services integrated into one community space.
Mr Peacock’s comments were made at a time when the council was asked by the YMCA to provide £150,000 in advance towards the project from the sale of land previously used for football at Elm Avenue, which borders the site.
Responding to Mr Peacock, YMCA Newark and Sherwood told the Advertiser it had worked collaboratively with other organisations to accelerate the project’s completion.
A spokesman said: “YMCA Newark and Sherwood are delighted with the acceleration of the Community and Activity Village project so far, which continues to develop as planned.
“Only ten months on from obtaining planning permission, our charity opened the gates to the Village for the local community.
“YMCA forward-funded the cost of these facilities, including a top quality athletics provision and two brand new 3G football pitches that have become home to Newark Town FC, and 80 other groups.
“This project is a huge, collaborative undertaking between organisations across our district, and the first of its kind in the UK.”
Final contractual discussions are due to be completed by December 2019, ready to commence building on site by March 2020.
The build timeline will support a soft launch by May 2021 and full launch by the start of summer 2021.
An Olympic-standard climbing centre will be the centre point of the Community and Activity Village.
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