York Acorn's Thanet Road home will be transformed into a major community sports facility if an £800,000 redevelopment gets the go-ahead.

The amateur rugby league club are planning a new floodlit pitch, new all-weather training area, netball court, jogging track and improved clubhouse.

As well as being home to Acorn, it is hoped the new facilities will attract major rugby league fixtures as well as being available to the local community.

The plans have already been shown to the club's members and councillors and next week local residents will be given the chance to have their say.

The Foxwood Neighbourhood Forum will be holding an open meeting at Acorn on Wednesday (6.30-7pm) when the plans will be unveiled to the public.

Acorn treasurer Linda Hill is hoping the project will receive the backing of the local people.

"We look at ourselves as a focal point of the community so we want to work together with them.

"At the moment everybody seems happy but we want to consult with the community. If they have any objections we will look at it again and we will take their ideas into consideration," said Hill, adding that they had already offered their current facilities to the nearby Our Lady's School, who have none of their own.

The Acorn committee first discussed ground development in 1997 because the club had out-grown its current set-up.

After three years of proposals and modifications they are finally nearing the planning application stage.

Hill explained: "We have saturated the facilities we already have. We need more training area and a better quality pitch.

"We've had prestige matches here in the past and we want more in the future - national games, county games, schools games and cubs and scouts. We want more and more young people to play sport."

If the scheme goes ahead, it would see the current all-weather area being converted into the main pitch complete with floodlights and a stand.

A new all-weather training area, netball court and jogging track would be built while the changing rooms would be extended, including the addition of a female changing area.

There are no plans to change the social club.

Initially the cost was put at £650,000 but it is now expected to cost around £800,000.

The club will be seeking grant aid from such bodies as the Sports Council as well as local businesses, with any shortfall to be made up from a Lottery grant.

The work is expected to take a minimum of 18 months, but it could be several more months before the money is found.

As part of their development plan, Acorn are holding a free fun day this Sunday to introduce new players to the sport.

Leaflets have already gone out to schools across the city for the open day which is open to boys and girls of all ages.

It starts at 10.30am and is followed by a disco at 3.30pm. Lunch is provided.