Bishop Auckland Table Tennis club is now embarking on its biggest mission yet!
Bishop Auckland table tennis club has embarked on its biggest project yet: to build a brand new, world class sports facility; community hub and table tennis hall in Bishop Auckland!
The club which provides table tennis for the whole community is wanting to build a new centre to give the area even more access to table tennis, bringing together everyone and anyone who wants to give it a go, make friends, and develop skills, not just on the table, but off too.
The club, which is a registered charity, has been running at capacity, providing table tennis for everyone, from primary school sessions to over 50s groups. This has seen beginner’s sessions, through to international players walk through the door every week and they have outgrown their current space.
The new building will mean there are tables available every evening for social users, as well as developing an international standard playing hall for its community coaching programme. The size and availability will mean the that table tennis is accessible all day, Monday to Sunday. Day-time, evening and weekend assess to the hall will mean local schools can access table tennis, whilst those who cannot attend evening sessions will have more opportunities.
The social area within the facility will provide a safe space before sessions, it will also be used to support young people to complete homework, balancing their sporting and school commitments. This space will also provide a welcoming and comfortable space for users to relax before, during and after sessions providing a less formal space to welcome new participants and run more informal social sessions. A community café will compliment this space providing drinks and healthy food options to offer a full experience for the users. To complete the social space, alongside changing and toilet facilities, is a community room, this room will be open for community groups to use for meetings or to hold weekly activities, this room will also be used to run training courses for the club and community based on identified need.
So far, the club have raised over £100,000 towards the cost and are now appealing to the community to help get towards the £220,000 cost and get this community facility built.
Donations can be made via the club local giving page which can be found, along with more information and videos about the project on the club’s website www.bishopaucklandttc.co.uk/new-building. If anyone wants more information on the project please contact Matt on 07411018856.