KEIGHLEY COUGARS remain fully committed to redeveloping their main stand and laying an artificial pitch – even though they are having to play the waiting game on both.
The Rugby League club, who share their ground with non-league football team Keighley Town and want to expand community use of the venue, are trying to source alternative funding for the stand project after Bradford Council pulled the £2.25 million which had been allocated from Keighley Towns Fund money.
Meanwhile the local authority have yet to give planning permission for the new pitch, which would replace a current grass surface, which has been problematic.
The Cougars say that means the work can’t be done this year.
“We had the pitch work scheduled to begin on August 1, but sadly bureaucracy has got in the way again and planning permission has not yet been granted,” co-owner Ryan O’Neill told the Keighley News.
“It requires three months from start to finish and is dependent on stable weather. Without planning permission yet, we have missed the window for work this year.”
“We are therefore having to work through these issues, and hope that those stakeholders can see the benefit a 3G pitch would bring to Keighley, not just for the rugby and football, but for local community clubs, juniors and schools.”
Regarding the stand, O’Neill explained: “It is undeniably a real blow to have the decision by Bradford Council not to allocate the funding.
“We are working to secure other funding for the stand, and to deliver the community facilities we had planned.
“Over recent months we have invested in a wellbeing centre adjacent to the club, which has a 5,000 square feet gym, with wrestle area, sledding track, four ice baths and a ten-person sauna.
“We are working with local community groups for them to use this facility.”