A NEW era has dawned at a North Yorkshire sports and social club, after it completed the first stage of a major redevelopment, with help from local chartered surveyors and building consultants Lightly & Lightly.

A new £60,000 playing surface, part-funded by the Community Foundation, has been installed at the Lower Derwent Sports and Social Club, Elvington.

it was project-managed by the York office of Lightly & Lightly of Clifton Moor - among several organisations helping the 200-member club, which has its roots as Elvington United in the 1960s, but which was relaunched under its current name almost ten years ago.

The redevelopment programme follows the club increasing its funding by disposing of some of its land for a new medical centre in the village, again with help from Lightly & Lightly.

Club chairman Gary Clydesdale said: "We are very grateful to the help given to the club by Lightly & Lightly, which has shown great community support by providing its assistance free of charge.

"As well as advising on the disposal of the site, Lightly & Lightly director Richard Hampshire has given us invaluable assistance in enabling us to achieve best value from our contractor for the new playing surface and floodlighting."

Lightly & Lightly is now acting as a consultant to the club over further development plans, including new changing facilities, refurbishing the clubhouse, a new cricket square, skate park and equipment store.

Mr Hampshire said: "As a business founded in York, we are very keen on helping community initiatives when appropriate and we have a track record for supporting sporting activities."

Updated: 11:33 Tuesday, May 11, 2004