AN AMBITIOUS £2 million expansion of its sports facilities has been announced by Holy Family School.

The project would see its overgrown all-weather pitch transformed into a competition-size hockey pitch.

And the partnership with Airedale Hockey Club would also see a new two-storey clubhouse, including changing rooms, terrace, kitchen, office, social area and bar.

The Keighley school and club have embarked on separate fundraising campaigns ahead of applying for major grants to finance the bulk of the project.

The hockey club believe the new 100-yards by 60-yards pitch would meet rising demand for facilities and help train future champions in the sport.

Part of the all-weather pitch, on a plateau alongside the main Holy Family School buildings, currently provides space for two temporary classrooms

School spokesman Tim Garthwaite said: “Our all-weather pitch was inherited from the local authority in the past century after years of neglect.”

He stressed the project is in its early stages, but said negotiations were already under way with the hockey club about details of the scheme.

He added: “At the moment, we’re fundraising in the school and with our friends outside to give us a pot of money.

“We haven’t priced things up properly, but know it will be a substantial figure. We’re hoping we can turn this project over in the next year.”

Mr Garthwaite said even if major grants were not forthcoming, the school expected to be able to raise enough to restore the all-weather pitch for students’ use.

Airedale Hockey Club chairman Richard Stewart said his members had helped raise funds ten years ago for the hockey pitch at Oakbank School, where they have been based ever since.

In that time, the club has grown from one men’s and one women’s team to six teams in local and county leagues, and five junior sides.

Mr Stewart said: “We will very shortly need two pitches to accommodate the demand for hockey in Keighley. School club links are vital, and our area has a rich vein of talent.

“We have nine players in our junior section that have represented Yorkshire at hockey in various age groups.

“This week, one of our youngsters, Matthew Ramshaw, was selected for the England under-16 training squad and has a chance of making his international debut later this season.”