WELLINGTON Squash and Racketball Club has been awarded a grant of £1,500 to help towards the cost of carrying out much-needed repairs to the clubhouse roof.

The club had originally asked Wellington Town Council for a grant of £2,000 towards the overall cost of £2,700 for the repairs to the building in Corams Lane.

The council had agreed last month to award a grant of £1,500, rather than the full £2,000, on confirmation the club had gained more than one quote from a firm to carry out the repairs.

The club had responded to the council to say that the roof had been an ongoing issue for a number of years.

Town council clerk Greg Dyke, in a report, said: “The roof contains elements of asbestos which make it difficult to find contractors willing to look at – let alone undertake remedial work.

“The club do not currently have funds to undertake this hence opting for less expensive remedial work which is expected to extend the life of the present roof by up to seven years.”

Mr Dyke confirmed to the council that the club had actually received only one quote for the work because of its specialised nature.

Cllr Marcus Barr said: “They should be asking other firms – there’s plenty of roofing firms in Wellington.”

But Deputy Mayor Cllr Janet Lloyd added: “We should give them the money so they can get on with it.”

It is understood the club committee is looking to compile an application to Sport England’s community asset fund within the next 12 months for further financial support.

The council’s finance committee agreed at its last meeting to back the club and recommended to award the £1,500, and this was given the thumbs-up later that evening by the full council.