Kent County Council to support Cricket Academy
Kent County Council has agreed to provide an interest free loan of £500,000 to Kent County Cricket Club towards the cost of re-developing the Ames Levett Indoor School at the St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury
Kent CCC Media Release
19-Feb-2003
Kent County Council has agreed to provide an interest free loan of £500,000 to Kent County Cricket Club towards the cost of re-developing the Ames Levett Indoor School at the St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury.
The enhanced facilities will be used by cricketers of all ages and both sexes from all areas of Kent and will ensure the award of the England and Wales Cricket Board's "Academy" status to the Club. Top coaching services for all will be available for the talented players of the future and there will be "state of the art" practice facilities including extended run-ups and the latest surfaces and lighting. There will also be a physiotherapy clinic within the building and a number of classrooms. The total cost of the scheme is estimated at £0.7 million.
The Club will now work in partnership with the County Council to establish education schemes on the site for young people from the surrounding areas through which their academic as well as sporting prowess can be improved. As part of the overall package, Kent County Council has pledged support for the development of multi-sport facilities on the site.
Mike Hill, Lead Member of Kent County Council for Sports Development, said:
"We are delighted with this project at the St Lawrence Ground, which will help develop the Kent cricket stars of the future and be used and enjoyed by young people from schools and youth organisations right across the County."
Paul Millman, Chief Executive of Kent County Cricket Club, said:
"This is great news for Kent cricket. The promised support from Kent County Council gives us the opportunity to proceed to the planning stage with a vital project for the game in Kent. We envisage great benefit for the community of the County. We see Kent County Council as a key development partner not just on this project, but with a number of initiatives to develop sport for the people of Kent."