A Carlisle school has announced four projects expected to benefit pupils and the local community.
Austin Friars, at Etterby Scaur, is planning Carlisle’s first purpose-built padel facility, a 3G artificial grass pitch (AGP), an art and design centre, and a food technology department.
Padel, a racquet sport that blends aspects of tennis and squash, is the fastest-growing sport in the UK and promotes participation across all age groups – widely tipped to become an Olympic sport of the future.
Head Chris Hattam said he hoped that making sports like padel locally accessible would inspire a new generation of athletes.
He said: “We are thrilled to have been granted the opportunity to pursue such exciting developments which will not only benefit the pupils of Austin Friars, but also allow us to engage with the city and wider community as a whole.
“We are deeply thankful to those who have contributed towards these projects and look forward to seeing their real-world impact on lives both young and old.
“Offering support to the community is a core responsibility of our School, and we will strive to provide access to these new facilities which will continue to be developed as time goes on.”
It is hoped the 3G artificial grass pitch, which would meet strict FIFA quality standards for Football Association match play, will be completed by 2026. The plans are being developed in partnership with the Football Foundation and Cumberland FA.
Craig Lewis, football development manager at Cumberland FA, said: “Cumberland FA is delighted to be working with Austin Friars and The Football Foundation to develop a 3G pitch project on site.
“The school has enormous potential to become a thriving community hub for local grassroots sport including football, rugby, American Football and more.
“Having met with school staff, it’s very clear there is a strong determination to offer its facilities to the community it serves, with the addition of a 3G pitch only enhancing that offer further.
“We are now eager to progress to the next stages of community engagement to ensure the project is reflective of the school and wider community needs whilst ensuring we satisfy the requirements of the Football Foundation.
“We look forward to working with Austin Friars going forward to provide a high-quality facility for grassroots football in Carlisle to enjoy.”
The school’s proposed food technology department aimed to support Cumbria’s integral hospitality industry, it said.
As well as enhancing its own pupils’ learning, Austin Friars plans to invite local primary schools to use the space and educate parents at a series of health-oriented evening classes.
The Elizabeth Roberts Centre: Art & Design, due to open by this September, will include modern spaces for traditional art and digital design work to be carried out.
