A MULTI-million pound redevelopment of Accrington Cricket Club will be debated by sports officials and council officers tonight

Outline plans to build a new indoor cricket centre, community sports hall, club room and function room on the Thorneyholme Road site have been submitted to Hyndburn Borough Council.

Though still in the early stages, officials at the club are hopeful the plans will be given the go-ahead by councillors.

And it is hoped that the Accrington club will become a school of excellence and provide training for the whole Lancashire Cricket League.

Cricket club chairman Mr Russ Cuddihy said the new centre would be cricket-orientated, but would also provide facilities for all sections of the community. He said young people could play basketball, there would be opportunities for disabled people to play sports and facilities for older people to play games like indoor bowls.

Extensions to the spectator terraces, a new car park and a pavilion on the front of the hall are also planned.

Mr Cuddihy said: "We think it's only right that the whole community can benefit from the new facilities. It's an ambitious plan, but if we are going to do it, we're going to do it right."

Mr Cuddihy is also on the Lancashire League Committee and said: "The standard isn't what it used to be and we are wanting to form a school of excellence. Accrington Cricket Club is in an ideal location, central to everyone and will soon be on the motorway link."

The redevelopment has been discussed for about two years and the plans were drawn up by a committee called Accrington Sports, formed from Accrington Cricket and Tennis Clubs, under chairman Mr Peter Barrett.

If proposals get the go-ahead they will be preparing a bid for lottery cash to help fund the project.

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