More than 1,000 votes submitted on how to spend £300k of sport money in Exmouth

More than 1,000 Exmouth households have voted on how £300,000 of sport money should be spent in the town.

East Devon District Council is now inputting and analysing the votes to see if any age groups or locations are significantly under-represented.

A total of 5,000 randomly selected Exmouth households received a letter in the post in Summer 2020, asking them to vote for their favourite sports project.

The seven projects are as follows:

1. The resurfacing of the large sand astro pitch at Exmouth Community College which is at the end of its life, costing £150,000.

It's used by community groups in the evenings, as well as being used extensively by the college.

It's used for sports including football, hockey, rounders, soft ball, American football, handball, tag rugby, athletics and cricket.

2. A new drainage system at Exmouth Rugby Club for the two pitches and grass area next to Marine Way, costing £210,000.

The project would allow for it to be used more often. Matches and training are often called off because of waterlogged pitches.

3. The expansion of the current concrete skate park in Phear Park, which gets overcrowded, costing £240,000.

This is used by skateboarders, scooters and BMX riders and is free to use.

4. New sports equipment at Brixington park, costing £150,000.

The free-to-use equipment would include:

- A goal for sports such as football and basketball and side panels for target practise, at the one end of a tarmacked games area.

- Outdoor gym equipment.

- Improvements to the informal pitch in the middle of the park, including some drainage improvements, some levelling and new football goals.

- Graphics on part of a widened footpath for children to practice cycling.

- Improved and extended footpaths and seating.

5. Additional car parking, costing £40,000 at Withycombe Raleigh Common Football Pitches, home of the Brixington Blues.

It is used by other clubs and teams and would increase the usability of the pitches and make the parking safer.

6. A free-to-use back stretch/back exercise wall in Phear Park with exercises listed along its length, costing £5,000.

This would help people of all ages to straighten and strengthen their backs and necks.

7. A free-to-use concrete track with bumps and small slopes for wheeled sports such as BMX, skate boards and scooters in Carter Avenue Park, costing £60,000.

Click HERE for more details on the consultation.