WORK on an exciting new sports project is underway, thanks to a grant to kick-start the development of Okehampton's new all-weather pitch.

Okehampton Community Recreation Association (OCRA) has secured £100,000 from the Okehampton United Charity to see the replacement of the pitch, which will be used for hockey, netball, football and rugby, as well as a variety of other sports.

The new development is part of OCRA's £2.1-million sports project, which will act as a hub to the town, encourage tourism and improve facilities.

OCRA activity development manager Stuart Lord said he was excited about what the project would mean for Okehampton: 'After eight years of trying to get this into strategic policies and make agencies aware of the need for the facility, we have finally received full funding to move forward.

'The all-weather pitch has been key to local sport and it was essential that a replacement be developed to maintain the current high levels of activity and to develop new ones.

'This new facility is ideal for a variety of different sports and will offer a lot to the people of Okehampton and surrounding areas.

'It will promote the town as an active area, bring in tourism and, overall, provide sport and activity.

'I'd like to say a massive thank you to all those who have made it possible.'

The vision for the new development came about through consultation with OCRA working closely with sports clubs, Okehampton College and a wide range of local, regional and national agencies.

Chairman of the Okehampton United Charity Derek Webber said he felt it was important to support the town and people.

He said: 'I think the all-weather pitch had been coming to its sell-by date and it needed a lift.

'The charity felt it was an important piece of equipment for the young and the old of Okehampton and the surrounding area to enjoy.

'It's important to be able to keep training facilities up to date and encourage youngsters to play on the pitch rather than out on the streets.'

Mr Webber said the charity was there to support worthwhile projects: 'We are here for the benefit of Okehampton and all the villages and hamlets around.

'We felt that the team at OCRA were dedicated to improving the lives of youngsters and were in need of our support.'

Business manager for Okehampton College Alan King said the new pitch is the start of great things to come.

He said: 'The old pitch was there for 17 years and was badly in need of repair.

'It was beginning to affect the sports that were being played on it.

'To get the grant from the Okehampton United Charity was a tremendous boost for the project and helped to alert other organisations that we were serious about the project.

'OCRA have also been amazing and they are becoming more and more the hub of community sport.'

Mr King said the new pitch would benefit students and the community for years to come: 'This is the first phase of their development plan for the next few years and it's great to have it in place.

'It is one thing to have a vision but, it is another thing to see it to fruition.

'All our students now and for the next 20 years will benefit from this new pitch.'

The all-weather pitch is part of Okehampton's Sport and Activity Hub project.

The whole project is set to be completed by 2012, with work on the pitch to be completed at the end of August 2009.

Anyone interested in using the facilities can phone Okehampton College on 01837 650910.