Ref: PR1995
Date: 04/11/08

A Castleford community group is hoping to get some major funding for a park after applying to a television show.

The Friends of Castleford Savile Park have applied to ITV and the Big Lottery Fund's The People's Millions programme for £50,000 to create a multi-use games court.

The project has now been short-listed and will go forward to the public vote on ITV's Calendar News on Wednesday, November 26.

Cllr Clive Hudson, Wakefield Council's cabinet member for Environment, said: "This is a great opportunity for the people of Castleford, and the entire district, to have a helping hand in raising some money to create something for everyone.

"I want to encourage everyone to pick up the phone and make that call which could mean a fantastic new sports facility in this wonderful Castleford park."

The Savile Park games court is one of eight projects that have been chosen within the Yorkshire and Humber Region.

The People's Millions 2008 will take place from Monday, November 24 and all projects will feature on ITV's Calendar News.

Two projects will be shown every evening, and will go head-to-head for the public vote. The project with the most public votes will get the money.

John Nash, Chairman of the Friends of Castleford Savile Park, said: "We are delighted to have been given this opportunity for funding. Our group's aim has always been to open the park up to as many people as possible. Every vote for Savile Park is a vote to give children and young people better facilities. Please support the Savile Park games court."

Voting for Savile Park games court will start from 9am on Wednesday, November 26. The project will be given a specific telephone number, published on the Big Lottery Website, Calendar News and in the Daily Mirror. Telephone numbers will not be released until the day of broadcast.

If successful, the grant will be used to transform one of the currently underused tennis courts in Savile Park into the new multi-use games court. It will include facilities for five-a side football, basketball, seating, bicycle racks and a practice cricket area.