HOPES have been raised a multiuse sports facility could be created at the Recreation Ground in Ilminster.

The MUGA – Multi-Use Games Area – could be used by people of all ages for sports including football, basketball and tennis.

At a meeting of Ilminster Town Council suggestions included siting the MUGA on one of the tennis courts or parallel to the courts but the most popular idea was to site it next to the skate park.

Cllr Roger Swann said: “The tennis courts are a no-go and the kids are immediately drawn to the skate park area – they enjoy kicking the ball to the wall to get a return.”

Some £35,000 of Section 106 money is available – funds developers pay to South Somerset District Council which can be released to Ilminster Town Council for projects to improve highways, parks, public transport and schools.

The money must be used by a certain time and councillors are concerned if the project does not go ahead soon, it will go back to the developer.

Mayor Emma Jane Taylor said the MUGA had to be match-funded and that money would not have to come from the town council if it could be sourced in grants from outside bodies.

Cllr Andrew Shearman added: “It is of benefit for the children of Ilminster and I think we should spend the money before we lose it.”

Cllr Sophie Storey: “It is what the children want – they like to use these facilities and it would be for Ilminster children.”

Councillors agreed to take up the district council’s offer to peg out an area on the recreation ground to show how big it would be and make a decision from there.

They also agreed to investigate ways to secure grant funding.