Village halls and pavilions are essential for bringing communities and Broadacres is among a number of organisations helping a North Yorkshire village to build a new one.

Huby Playing Fields Association were faced with a daunting task when their much loved but dilapidated 60-year-old sports pavilion was finally condemned in 2020 on health and safety grounds.

Since then, they’ve had to contend with lockdown, rising costs and the discovery of asbestos in the old building which has all added to the challenge faced.

But they’ve risen to that challenge, with the old building having been demolished and construction of the new pavilion set to commence with a £350 grant from Broadacres Community Development Fund helping towards the total cost of £300,000.

Simon Bullough, Chair of the Playing Fields Association, said: “We’ve had help from a wide range of bodies including local councils, businesses and charities and every little helps.”

The village near York has grown in recent years from 1,200 to 1,500 with new homes being build including by Broadacres. A council report concluded the need for a community resource was ‘desperate’.

“The pavilion is a vital resource for the community. If you lose that you lose the sports clubs, the community gatherings and the hub that brings the village together,” said Simon.

“The growth of the village makes the need for social infrastructure even greater and with the old building demolished and planning application in for the new pavilion the community can see that, after years of discussion, something is now happening.”

The pavilion will have a traditional look, with clock tower and bifold doors opening out onto the playing fields. Inside there’ll be a community use space, kitchen and bar plus changing rooms for junior and adult teams.

“It will offer something for the whole community,” said Simon. “The old building has been demolished, the site cleared, and we expect the first spade in the ground for the new pavilion by the New Year and hopefully an opening by Christmas 2025.”

The Broadacres Community Development Fund supports local organisations, groups, and projects in areas where Broadacres has homes. All grants are approved by the Association’s own residents.

To apply to the Fund visit the dedicated page on our website.