A STATE-OF-THE-ART sports facility is to be built in Andover as part of the “largest community-funded project the town has ever seen”, the Advertiser can exclusively reveal.

Anton Junior School is being supported by the Jamie G Sporting Trust to construct the hall, which will be available for both community and school use, in its grounds.

Fundraising is already well under way for the £500,000 scheme, detailed plans are being drawn up and are due to be submitted to the council for approval this autumn and the project is scheduled for completion by late 2017.

The sports hall will be 36m by 20m, large enough for four badminton courts, five-a-side football, netball, basketball, trampolining and many other sporting activities.

The hall will be used by the school and by local sports clubs, with priority being given to young people in the town.

All funding will come from the local community. Both Hampshire County Council and Test Valley Borough Council are fully supportive of the project, which will not call on public funds, with a major money-raising event being this weekend.

It will be built in memory of young Andover sportsman Jamie Gentleman, who died suddenly just a few days before his 14th birthday in 2009.

Headteacher Tom Donohoe said: “I had the pleasure and privilege to get to know Jamie Gentleman very well and he was truly a fantastic young person who I was proud to have as the captain of the Clatford football team I managed.

“We are delighted that the Jamie G Trust is supporting us with this project, as it will bring substantial benefits to the school and the local community.

“I am also very grateful to the whole school community for supporting our fundraising. All staff on ‘Team Anton’ have worked so hard to help us raise the funds needed to construct this fantastic facility which will be a permanent legacy to the memory of Jamie.”

Trust chairman Paul Gregory said: “It’s a joy to be working with the school on this.

“The Jamie G Trust has made over 40 awards to local sports clubs over recent years and the sports hall will be a fitting legacy to the memory of outstanding young sportsman, Jamie Gentleman.

“We know that local sports clubs will get great benefit from the hall.

“We have had fantastic, loyal support from the local community over the last seven years. We send them our sincere thanks.

“Our annual fundraising ball at The Lights on Saturday will be a very special evening.”