HINDHEADÕS ageing sports pavilion could soon get a 21st century makeover following a new £150,000 refurbishment scheme announced this week.
The Hindhead Playing FieldsÕ Association has submitted a grant applicationto Haslemere Town council for £20,000. It was due to be discussed last night (Thursday).
The 74-year-old building in Tilford Road has been the subject of two failed lottery bids in the past two years.
The bids were to construct a completely new building from scratch, one for £402,000, the other for half a million.
Both were rejected by Sport England because the applications had failed to demonstrate that enough people would use the facility to justify the cost.
In June more than 40 people turned out to a public meeting to discuss what to do next.
Many suggestions were made, including a third lottery bid, but now the management committee has decided to refurbish the building.
ÒWeÕre looking at roughly £150,000, although until we have heard from our various funding bids, we wonÕt know for sure,Ó said association chairman Tony Dekayne.
The ground floor of the existing pavilion is made of concrete and will be refurbished with up-to-date toilet and shower facilities, and the changing rooms will be enlarged.
ÒThe first floor, made of wood, will be completely removed and replaced with a new wooden structure.
ÒWe are also looking at a single-storey extension at the rear of the building,Ó explained Mr Dekayne.
ÒThis will have two further changing rooms and toilets for disabled people, because all such buildings will have to have access for the disabled by 2004.Ó
Depending on the funding that can be secured, Mr Dekayne said that the refurbishment should be completed by this time next year.