THREE MHKs have won support for their plans to provide a low cost multi-use community activity hall in the south of the Island.

Juan Watterson, Quintin Gill and Phil Gawne have the support of the Departments of Community, Culture and Leisure (DCCL) and Education and Children. The later agreed for the activity hall to be sited on land at Rushen Primary School.

Community, Culture and Leisure Minister David Cretney MHK said: "The aim of inviting applications for these community activity halls was to provide rural areas with a multi-use building where there was an identified need.

"Rushen's application had all the necessary components, namely community support, a lack of nearby facilities and a location on which to site the hall and I am pleased the department is able to progress with this development."

Juan Watterson led the bid. He said: "We received expressions of interest in the project from many local clubs and societies along with the four local authorities - Arbory, Port Erin, Port St Mary and Rushen.

"Now the hard work starts in earnest. We want to put in place a board of directors from amongst the interested parties to be able to operate the facility successfully.

"We are very excited to be taking the project forward and look forward to working in partnership with the department to ensure the scheme comes to fruition for the benefit of people in the south."

The department will ask the applicants to formalise the management structure for the activity hall before applying for planning permission. The facility could be operational within two years subject to Tynwald support and planning approval.

Multi-use activity halls cost in the region of £650,000 to £700,000 and provide an activity area of around 35metres by 20metres. They have a solid wood floor making them suitable for most indoor sports including badminton, five-a-side football, basketball and tennis.

Quintin Gill said: "I am obviously very pleased that Rushen's application has been successful. As a political member of the department, I could take no part in the decision but I fully supported my constituency colleagues in progressing the business case for the provision of a multi-use hall in Rushen. I want to make sure everything is done to bring the necessary people together so that the planning process can start."

Phil Gawne added: "It is great that both the DCCL and the Department of Education and Children have supported our proposal to locate the first multi-use activity hall at Rushen School.

"Before the DCCL can progress with planning and building the hall the hard work starts in the community with people needed to step up and take the scheme forward. I hope the early expressions of interest will translate into continued support and Rushen can reap the benefits as soon as possible."

Minister Cretney added: "There was a second very strong bid from Marown Commissioners but unfortunately they do not currently have a suitable site. We will be working with them over the coming months to identify a suitable site with a view to the department commissioning a second hall the following year."

Any clubs, groups or societies that are interested in being involved with the activity hall are asked to contact Juan Watterson by e-mailing juan.watterson@gov.im or telephoning 01624 651517.