Modbury gets improvements to sports facilities

Modbury’s sporting facilities have been getting a major facelift thanks to money from South Hams District Council.

The council has given £197,500 towards recent improvement projects at Modbury’s Recreation Ground. Phase One of field improvements at the recreation ground, including a refurbishment on the town’s Multi-Use Games Area and cricket nets, vehicle access and improved lighting on the training pitch, have recently been completed.

The second phase, which will improve primary and secondary drainage, is scheduled for April and May.

Modbury Recreation Ground pre-facelift 

Modbury Recreation Ground post-facelift 

A further £19,944 is going towards essential machinery which will be used to maintain the facility.

Cllr Bernard Taylor, Ward Councillor for Charterlands, said: “I’m delighted to see the Modbury Recreation Ground be transformed by this money, generated through Section 106 agreements.

“Sport and outdoor activity is hugely important to any community and Modbury can be proud of the facilities that it has. These works ensure that a range of sports are catered for, for years to come.”

The money for the projects has come from Section 106 agreements related to Phases 1 and 2 of the Palm Cross development.

The recreation ground has been a big beneficiary of S106 money in recent years; £51,893 was given in 2019 to go towards an extension of the sports pavilion, providing essential storage space and allowing changing rooms to be returned for their original use. This work was completed in 2019.

A further sum of £19,969 was given in 2020 to resurface and paint Modbury’s two tennis courts.

This brings the total given towards projects at the recreation ground over the last four years to £289,306. In addition, £54,944 of S106 funds from the Palm Cross development were used towards a revamp of the Memorial Hall play area last year.

Cllr Pete Watts, chairman of Modbury Parish Council and chairman of Modbury Association for Recreation and Sports, said: “This long awaited improvement work for Modbury Recreation Ground is the culmination of years of hard work within the Modbury community and some hugely appreciated support and cooperation from South Hams District Council.

“It allows us to make the very best use of this precious outdoor sport and recreation resource, increasing availability to our growing community and supporting a wider range of exciting organised activities and sports in which people can participate.”