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Isle of Wight Cricket Academy building work get underway
Mike Vimpany - 26 February 2002
Work gets underway next weekend on building the Isle of Wight's state-of-the-art indoor cricket academy overlooking Ventnor's unique `superbowl' at Steephill.
The £1.1 million project, financed from the Sport England Lottery Fund, IW Partnership, IW Council and many local supporters, will provide the Island with a three-lane Academy, incorporating video playback facilities for coaching, changing and social facilities.
Planning permission was secured last year for the two-storey building that will not only provide an indoor school, but also replace Ventnor's existing dressing rooms and clubhouse.
The top deck of the new academy will be built on the car park and will overlook the unique Steephill ground.
"Our first job is to demolish the existing clubhouse, and once the site is cleared construction work can begin," said John Hilsum, whose Project Development Committee has worked tirelessly for the past six years to get the Island a much needed cricket academy.
Island firm Howard Ingram are carrying out the construction works.
"It's been a long, hard drive raising funds for the project, but we've had wonderful support - there is still a little to be raised but I am confident that we can complete the task.
"After all our labours, it will be a truly magnificent sight to see the Academy take shape.
"There's terrific interest in cricket on the Island and this scheme will be of huge benefit to many people, not least the youngsters - both girls and boys," he said.
Southern Electric Premier League Division 3 clubs visiting Steephill this coming season will have to make do with temporary refreshment facilities in the Botanical Gardens Visitors Centre, less than 100 yards from the ground.
"We are continuing to use the dressing rooms, which form part of a Listed Building, but players will have to walk a short distance for tea and post-match refreshments.
"We ask all of our visiting teams to bear with us this season as once the Academy is built, we will have a facility to be proud of," Hilsum added.
© SPCL / Mike Vimpany / Daily Echo
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