MORE time has been given to find funds to revamp a run-down pavilion in Winchester after it was revealed there was a funding shortfall of several hundred thousand pounds.

Members of the team behind the North Walls cricket pavilion project told city councillors that despite being allocated £300,000 in Winchester City Council cash, as well raising money through a fundraising drive, the scheme faces a shortfall of around £200,000.

Plans for the new pavilion, which were unveiled this time last year, would see a facility that faces both cricket pitches, to the north of the River Park Leisure Centre, and aims to provide a community hub for the residents of Hyde.

The building would have increased floor space, a bar and a community room.

Winchester-based AR Design Studios also designed the pavilion to be more energy efficient and made of timber.

The project was initially expected to cost around £600,000, but despite team leaders indicating that they could get the figure closer to £500,000 a report has revealed that it could rise to as much as £800,000.

Project leader Mike Caldwell told councillors that grants were being sought in a bid to plug the funding gap, and added after bidding for £150,000 of Sport England funding, they had indicated a grant of £50,000 would be awarded, although this has not yet been confirmed.

The possibility of holding “one big fundraiser” in a bid to fill the gap was also raised at the Winchester Town Forum, with councillors keen to see the project succeed. The councillors on the town forum all represent the five wards within the Winchester city boundary.

Cllr Rosemary Burns, who lives in Hyde, said: “The project has been so professionally handled.

“I think we should continue to support it.”

However, concerns were raised about revenue from the new pavilion. Cllr Burns added: “While I’m in support, who does pick up the cheque for maintenance? We have to be very aware about how the public perceives where the money goes.

“It has to pay its way.”

The project is currently awaiting a decision from the Charities Commission over being granted charity status, which would open up the possibility of obtaining further funding through grants.

The proposed building would replace the 1970s wooden structure that was the base of Winchester Cricket Club which played in the Southern League before they folded several years ago.