Didcot Town Council has secured a loan of up to £2.4 million to build a new sports pavilion and splash park in the town.

The funding, which comes from the Public Works Loan Board, will be used to help pay for the dual developments in Edmonds Park

Plans for the pavilion and splash park were approved by the council in August last year.

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Construction will start at the end of this month and the facilities will be ready by the end of the year or early 2024.

Council leader Mocky Khan said: “It’s about using the loan to do something that has been promised for years.

“These two projects have been some of my priorities since I got back into power. The work is going to start this month and I can’t wait until its completed.”

The plans will see a new single storey pavilion built with sports changing rooms and a multi-functional community space together with related facilities.

There will also be external hard and soft landscaping, sports and play equipment, bicycle storage and improved parking arrangements located in the northwest corner of the park.

The ‘nature themed’ splash park, which will be about 250m2 and feature more than 30 different play features, will be free to use.

Cllr Khan said: “It’s something we need and something that sports clubs and young families can be proud of.

“We have added on the splash park because there’s nothing really for young families, and by doing it at the same time, we reduce costs as we are using the same services.

“There’s splash parks in other areas and they are very well used, and when we have done consultations or social media posts it is always something that people say.”

The council has budgeted the total cost for the project at £2.4 million, but it does not want to use all the loan and will instead look to obtain other grants, such as from Sports England.

The loan will be repayable over 25 years. The interest rate will be confirmed when the council draws down on the loan, which it aims to do in tranches.

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Since the previous pavilion was condemned and demolished in August 2021, sports clubs have used temporary facilities in the park provided by the council.

Matt Pitman, who coaches Didcot Town Youth FC under-16’s, said the loan now meant the club could “see the light at the end of the tunnel.”

He said: “It’s amazing news for the town and it’s been a long time coming. We have been waiting for years for the council to put the pavilion in.

“Not only will it support football in Didcot, but it will also support the local community. It’s probably one of the best things that’s ever happened.

“We have got over 400 young players that play for the club and pretty much the majority of which are in local schools and are all from Didcot.

“Through this facility for youth football, it strengthens our arm as a youth club.”