New hopes for gymnastic centre funding

FUNDING to extend the Ipswich Gymnastics Centre could be in the bag by September it can be revealed today.

Andy Wood, head coach of the centre in Braziers Wood Road said he was "hopeful" of securing the remaining funds through a grant from Sport England and other council grants.

The £640,000 project was kicked-off last week with £125,000 from a unique fundraiser which involved selling a house and the proceeds going to the centre.

Nick Boulter, a representative from Sport England, will meet with Mr Wood on August 22 to discuss an application for a £400,000 grant.

Mr Boulter will then report back to Active England, a government-backed organisation who distribute funding to sporting projects throughout the country.

Mr Wood said: "We will discuss the bits and pieces to see what we have to do for the award. It is not guaranteed, we have to do a lot of work, but we are hopeful."

He hoped that the remainder of the money needed for the centre would come from the Sports and Arts Sponsorship, Suffolk County Council and the Suffolk District Council. Mr Wood is expected to find out if these applications have been successful by the end of September.

If all the money had been raised, the building work would start in October and be finished by January 2006.

The project officially received its first £125,000 last week.After negotiations between Ipswich Borough Council and Bellway Homes, the company behind the Ravenswood development, a property was built with all the proceeds from the sale going to the development of the centre.

The two bedroom house in Tayberry Road, Ipswich, has now been finished and the keys were handed over to the new owner in a special ceremony.

At the same time, a cheque for £125,000 was given to the gymnastics centre to start their appeal.