By Ian Duncan

Last updated at 13:28, Thursday, 24 January 2013

Clubs and organisations across Cumbria are today celebrating after scooping a share of more than £2m of Olympic legacy funding.

The grants are part of Sport England’s Inspired Facilities fund and a total of 10 clubs in the county have benefited.

The latest awards include:

• £30,000 to upgrade and make improvements to Threlkeld Village Hall;
• £21,558 to renovate the sports hall at Kendal Lads and Girls Club;
• £49,980 to assist the restoration of the outdoor community swimming pool at Greystoke;
• £41,360 to refurbish the changing rooms and gym at Kells ARLFC;
• £50,000 to demolish and rebuild changing rooms at Barrow Island ARLFC allowing them to open to the public as well as club members;
• £27,271 to develop an extension to the Brockbeck MUGA, Kirkbarrow;
• £23,750 for repair work at Seaton Rugby League clubhouse;
• £150,000 towards the development of an athletics track at Furness Academy;
• £150,000 to upgrade the changing facilities at Sedbergh Pool.
• Keswick Rugby Club will also get funding totalling £46,743 and the cash will allow the club to upgrade its changing rooms and showers, improve flood defences and replace other worn-out equipment.

Jeremy Hall, the club president, said: “The club has suffered three major floods in the last 10 years and, while we have been able to improve the club house itself, funds to refurbish the changing areas have not been available.

“Ultimately our goal has to be to get above flood levels – be it by adding a second floor to the club or by building a complete new club house, so whilst this grant is very, very welcome it is only another step on the road to providing Keswick Rugby Club and the people of Keswick with a first-class sporting and social facility.

“I would like to particularly thank the small team that put this successful grant.”

Jamie Reed MP, who represents residents in the area, welcomed the news and added: “I am delighted that Keswick Rugby Club will now be able to make substantial improvements to their changing facilities which will allow a greater use of the club particularly for the ongoing development of the youth and girls teams.”

Bruce Lawson, the senior manager with Active Cumbria, said: “This latest funding announcement is fantastic news for sport in Cumbria.

“With two more funding rounds opening later this year to support potential projects, we at Active Cumbria are keen to ensure that our communities are afforded the very best that facilities can provide.”

Richard Lewis, the chairman of Sport England, said: “This National Lottery investment is helping us deliver a lasting sporting legacy in Cumbria from last year’s successful Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“With so many clubs in the North West having benefited from this fund already and building on the success of last summer, this is the legacy people want for their local community.”

First published at 13:27, Thursday, 24 January 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk