Racing Club Warwick was granted £83,500 by Warwick District Council’s executive committee on Wednesday to start work on a scheme to provide a new clubhouse, improved pitch and meeting place for Air and Army Cadets and Scouts.

Former Racing Club chairman Jim Wright is in charge of community development at the club and believes the whole town will benefit.

He said: “I’m very pleased - it’s a wise decision by the council.

“There is a lot riding on this. We have not been greedy - that money has been available for some time but we have waited to get the right things in place.”

The funding will enable the club to create a new entrance and re-organise the electricity, water and gas supplies before the main building work begins.

It also means £400,000 of Reserve Forces and Cadet Association cash will be released to the club.

Mr Wright added: “Money will now be invested into new cadet facilities for the Air Training Corps and the Army Cadets in Warwick.

“Both groups have got waiting lists.”

Three new classrooms will be used by people on football courses who need to use computers and by adults taking literacy and numeracy classes.

The offices will be used by the club’s voluntary transport schemes for the elderly, the Credit Union and Citizen’s Advice Bureau outreach workers.

Speaking at Wednesday’s meeting Coun Chris White (Con, Warwick South), who is responsible for leisure policy, said: “It’s clear there is an awful lot going on at the club and it should be supported.

“They have done a lot for young people in west Warwick. The facilities are in a poor state of repair and this will go towards creating a more updated, and purpose-built venue.”

Work will start on September 15 and the first phase will be completed by April 2009.