A SPORTS hub that goes a long way in serving the community at Barrow Island will be expanding their facilities after being awarded a substantial grant.

The Barrow Island Community Sports Trust have been given a sum of just over £76,000 by the FCC Communities Foundation that will go towards renovating their hub at Cavendish Park.

The money will go towards building a new office/meeting room that will meet the demand from various groups to host extra activities at the venue.

A new female referees’ changing room will be created to bring the complex up with Sport England guidelines, while the existing referees’ room will be renovated as a result of the grant.

Director of Barrow Island Community Sports Trust Rob McAloone said: “It’s an absolutely tremendous boost for Barrow Island and the local community.

“It’s brilliant that the FCC Communities Foundation can support us in the way that they are doing and without their support we wouldn’t be able to move forward.”

The trust manages Cavendish Park as a community and sports facility that can be used and enjoyed for the residents of Barrow Island and surrounding areas.

Amongst the teams that use its facilities is the senior team from Croftlands Park FC, who play in the Furness Premier League, Marsh Hornets ARLFC and Dalton Girls FC.

Barrow Island Bowling Club is on its grounds, while it also hosts RFL referee courses for young would-be rugby league officials.

Under normal circumstances, they also hold a two-day community and sports gala, and an annual community and music festival, Fudstock, while they work closely with their community in finding ways to enhance their facilities and provide more activities.

FCC Communities Foundation Spokesperson Penny Horne said: “We’re delighted to be supporting the Cavendish Park Changing Facilities project and pleased our funding will make such a difference to so many groups of people across Barrow and the surrounding neighbourhoods.”