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The future is rosy at Ruskin
Thursday 15th March 2012

A sports ground could be in line for a radical transformation under proposals to make it the focal point for amateur and junior action in St Helens.

Up to £100,000 has been set aside by St Helens Council for a feasibility study for the redevelopment of the ageing Ruskin Drive sports ground, home of St Helens Recs Cricket Club.

The local authority took over the management of the sports fields from Pilkington subsidiary Ruskin Leisure in 2010, and is looking at drawing up plans to improve the dated facilities. The bold vision is to create a 21st century facility that is at the heart of local sport.

Plans for regenerating the sports fields, used by football, cricket, rugby league, rugby union and rounders teams, were passed several years ago when the ground was under private ownership, but the council's role – and the sale of the Ruskin gym and clubhouses to a private consortium – meant they were scrapped.

However, the scale of the proposed development the council now has in mind could be more significant. Senior councillors were impressed with the number of activities on show when Ruskin Drive staged a sports festival last summer, but they noted the sports facilities were dated, and want to investigate ways they can be improved.