THE new sports pavilion for Okehampton is well on track after builders handed over the keys last week to its managers —Okehampton Community and Recreational Association.

But the charity behind the ambitious Okehampton Community Hub Pavilion in Simmons Park is now appealing for funds and volunteers so the much needed facility can open its doors for everyone to enjoy.

The pavilion, situated adjacent to the Okehampton College all-weather pitch, will provide facilities for all the community, acting as a recreational hub for sport, arts, music, dance, disabled groups, training and education.

The building is on two levels with changing rooms, showers, toilets a function area/cafeteria on the ground floor and another function area and offices upstairs.

The building itself has been funded by major grants from Devon County Council, £200,000 from Okehampton United Charities, £50,000 from the Hockey Foundation and backing from other bodies and local organisations.

However, donations of cash, equipment and labour are badly needed so that the fixtures and fittings for the changing rooms, bar, kitchen, offices, viewing balconies and social areas can be installed.

OCRA trustee Mike Reynolds told the Times: 'As a charity we are appealing to the community, businesses and individuals, anyone, to provide us with goods and services to kit out the hub and get it up and running.

'We have had great backing so far to get to this stage, which we greatly appreciate, but now we just need that final help to make it succeed. This building will benefit not just the sporting community but the whole community —especially the young people of Okehampton.'

OCRA chairman David Carter told the Times: Oxenham Consult, the architects from South Tawton, and builders Midas have worked closely together to construct a fantastic building which has been widely praised for its design and high standards.

'This is an exciting day to take on the pavilion, now we just need to take it to the next step and make it a facility to be proud of and a place to benefit the whole of our community.'

Mr Carter added that although it was difficult to give a date of its openings, with works still progressing, OCRA was hoping that the public could have a 'first glimpse of the building' during Okehampton Sports and Festival Festival in July, where perhaps the cafeteria and other limited facilities could be available.

If any individual, community group or business would like to help the project contact Mike Reynolds on 07870419528 or email [email protected]">[email protected]