COUNCILLORS are being asked to pitch in extra cash after it was found Padiham FC's new clubhouse project was based on shaky foundations.

Design problems meant the cost of the National Lottery-assisted scheme, now nearing completion, has rocketed from £174,500 to £277,600 - leaving the club to find an extra £24,000 in matched funding, despite an increased lottery grant.

Under the earlier estimates the club, this year celebrating its 50th anniversary, had only £1,500 to put towards the scheme after Burnley Council offered a £19,000 grant and a £5,000 interest-free loan.

Tonight, the council's recreation and leisure committee is being asked to increase its grant by £8,760 to ease the club's financial burden at the Arbories ground.

A report to councillors says that after the original plan was approved last year, the council's Building Consultancy team was brought in to develop the proposals and it became immediately apparent there were design problems, which could have resulted in ground settlement of the new clubhouse and changing rooms.

New plans were drawn up and submitted to National Lottery chiefs, who said their requirements had also changed, in particular with regard to disabled access and equal opportunities.

There were also additional fire and security requirements, all of which increased project costs, the report adds.

It says the football club has already taken steps to strengthen links with schools and the local community.

Padiham FC, it adds, operate an open membership policy and are actively encouraging participation and involvement in club activities by the wider community, particularly the recreationally disadvantaged.

The club is also committed to increasing the number of volunteers, coaches and officials and raising their standards and was taking measures to ensure it sustained growth and future development based on a solid management structure.

On the question of equal opportunities, extra costs were being incurred to make changing room facilities suitable for female as well as male use.

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