(Image: Shaun Harrison)
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Search the Public Notice Portal KEIGHLEY Cougars have been left frustrated by a double blow to works at their ground.
The £2.25 million they were allocated to develop their Danny Jones Stand in 2022 has now been allocated elsewhere, while they have not yet got planning permission to lay an artificial surface at Cougar Park.
Co-owner Ryan O’Neill says the latter decision means they have missed the window for works to go ahead this year.
He spoke exclusively to the Telegraph & Argus about the pitch blow, saying: “Sadly, bureaucracy has got in the way again and planning permission has not yet been granted.
“We are therefore having to work through these issues, and hope that those stakeholders can see the benefit that a 3G pitch would bring to Keighley, not just for the rugby and the football, but for local community clubs, juniors and schools.
"We had the pitch work scheduled to begin on August 1.
“It requires 3 months from start to finish and is dependent on stable weather.
“Without planning permission yet, we have missed the window for the works this year.”
Given the funding for the Danny Jones stand was agreed four years ago, with no movement since, we asked Cougars whether they had put a contingency plan in place, given the increasing unlikelihood of the money going to them as time passed.
Keighley fans watching some action from the Danny Jones Stand at Cougar Park.
(Image: Shaun Harrison)
O’Neill insists there are alternative plans, saying: “It is undeniably a real blow to have the decision by Bradford Council not to allocate the funding.
“We are working to secure other funding for the stand, and to deliver the community facilities we had planned.
“Over recent months we have invested in a wellbeing centre adjacent to the club, which has a 5,000 sq ft gym, with wrestle area, sledding track, four ice baths and a 10 person sauna.
“We are working with local community groups including Keighley Albion, Silsden Storm and Oakworth FC for them to use this facility.
“So, despite losing the incredible opportunity to create new community spaces within a new stand, we are working ourselves to provide as many facilities as we can to enhance sporting delivery in Keighley.
“In addition, we have an ongoing programme of renovations to as much of the current facility as is feasible.
“The Hall of Fame bar has recently been refurbished and in the coming weeks we will begin refurbishing the hospitality suite.
“Outside we will be making a 'Walk of Fame' which will timeline the club's history and include the Hall of Famers who add so much to the heritage of the club.
“Our medium term aim is to build an indoor sports-hall at the southern end of the ground, and to add a balcony to run the length of the club house, which will be open as a viewing area for disabled supporters, and a hospitality facility for matchdays.”