New sports changing facilities at Lambley Lane Recreation Ground in Gedling have been opened, thanks to funding secured from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund UKSPF of £242,029 and £91,279 from the Football Foundation.
The new changing cabins include a kitchenette, showers, and toilets, as well as a modern changing area for sports teams to use.
They have PV solar panels installed on the roof for improved energy efficiency, along with new additions such as metal walls, doors, and rotary spikes on top to enhance security and prevent vandalism. These measures are expected to reduce ongoing repair costs for the council, which will maintain and manage the new facilities.
Local sports clubs, including Mapperley All Stars and Notts FA, attended the opening of the new facilities, along with representatives from the Football Foundation. Mapperley All Stars CIC and Mapperley All Stars Football Club have also been key partners in the project and will now be able to enjoy the new facilities for their grassroots football and community programmes.
These ancillary facility improvements are an important part of Gedling Borough’s strategy to improve sports participation and ensure facilities are prepared for future use. The funding will help ensure that these clubs can continue to serve the community and offer even more opportunities for people to get involved in sport.
The funding is crucial for these clubs, as it enables them to expand and improve their facilities, helping them to welcome more players and provide better experiences for members.
The changing cabins and grass pitch at Lambley Lane were identified as priorities in recent council reviews, including its Built Facilities Strategy and the Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sport Strategy. The outcomes set out in these strategy documents helped to secure the funding from the Football Foundation.
Councillor Viv McCrossen, Portfolio Holder for Climate Change and Natural Habitat, said: “This funding represents a significant investment in the health and wellbeing of our local community.
“By improving changing facilities and the grass pitch at Lambley Lane Recreation Ground, we are ensuring that more people can enjoy the benefits of physical activity at a grassroots level, which is essential for both mental and physical health. These upgrades will enable our local clubs to offer better opportunities to everyone, helping to create a more active and healthier borough.”
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