Work on a £2.5m sport project has begun at a North Yorkshire secondary academy.

̨��swag Academy Easingwold, based on York Road,received funding from Hambleton District Council and local football team, Easingwold Town AFC, for the sports project, which includes a new sports hall.

Work has recently begun on the sports hall at the academy’s site, which will bring fantastic new sports facilities to the school and community.

The academy, was also awarded a grant from the Premier League, The Football Association (FA) and the Government’s Football Foundation, to help fund a new 3G pitch.

Laura Eddery, Principal at ̨��swag Academy Easingwold, said: “We are delighted to be announcing the start of the building work on the new exciting sports project at ̨��swag Academy Easingwold.

“Once completed, the project will provide the students and the wider community with excellent facilities to use and will be vital to improving grassroots sport in the area by allowing the community to play a variety of sports in a safe environment in facilities that are fit for purpose.”

The new sports hall at ̨��swag Academy Easingwold will provide a four court facility, with separate male and female changing rooms. Each side has accessible individual shower cubicles and internal entrances for wet/dry changing. The building will also have a reception area to supervise the out of hours community use of the new sports hall. 

 Cash for the project has been secured from the Football Foundation and the North Riding FA - £300,000; Hambleton District Council - £650,000 in Section 106 funding; Easingwold Town AFC - just over £79,000; and Friends of Easingwold School - £50,000. The academy’s sponsor, ̨��swag Grange Academies Trust, has provided the remainder. 

 The grant will enable ̨��swag Academy Easingwold, part of ̨��swag Grange Academies Trust, to be the home of a high-quality 3G sports pitch which would benefit and serve sportspeople and sporting teams from around the wider community. 

Lynn James Executive Principal said: “These facilities will place the academy at the heart of the community it serves.” 

Councillor Bridget Fortune, Portfolio Holder for Leisure at Hambleton District Council, said: “I am delighted that Hambleton District Council has been able to provide this £650,000 contribution to this project. The sports hall and the 3g pitch will be tremendous assets for the Easingwold and area community.”

Peter Nottage, Town Mayor and Chairman of Easingwold Town AFC, said: “As both Town Mayor and Chairman of Easingwold Town Football Club I am delighted that work has started on the Sports Hall. This will bring great benefits to not only the students of the school but also the wider community, including the football club.  

“Furthermore, I am really looking forward to the construction of the 3G pitch at the school that taken with the Sports Hall will really enhance the sporting opportunities available in Easingwold."