New sports pitches get go ahead

Work on the Isle of Man's much-anticipated Ballafletcher playing fields will start in spring 2009.

The development includes two football pitches, two rugby pitches, one cricket wicket and three multi-purpose areas.

Tynwald approved the motion to spend �1,876,320 and weather permitting, work on the site should start in March.

Tourism and Leisure Minister Martyn Quayle said: "This is a terrific boost for sport here. When completed this will be a very impressive facility."

The site will be used by the newly-created Ballafletcher Sports Limited, comprised of Douglas Royal and Corinthians football clubs, along with Vagabonds rugby club.

Vagabonds' men play in the South Lancashire and Cheshire League Division One and their women's team currently top the North West League Division Two.

This is a very exciting time and if everything goes to plan we should see the facilities being used in 2010.

Martyn Quayle MHK

Vagas will use the two rugby pitches and their new cricket team will use the cricket pitch in the summer. The club also plan to build a clubhouse on the site.

The two football pitches are to be used by Douglas Royal and Corinthians, both of which currently play on pitches rented from Douglas Corporation.

Quayle added: "This is a very exciting time and if everything goes to plan we should see the facilities being used in 2010."