Hundreds of Nottinghamshire residents have given the thumbs up to plans that will transform sports facilities across a district.
Ashfield District Council has teamed up with the Football Foundation on a project that will see PlayZones built in five areas.
PlayZones are new or refurbished outdoor mini pitches, designed for football and other sports, aimed at tackling inequalities in physical activity and access to facilities. The main priority groups the Football Foundation wants to work with include women and girls, people living with a long-term health condition or disability, and ethnically diverse communities.
The five sites are:
- Cowpasture Rec, Leamington (refurbishing the existing facilities)
- Stamper Rec, Skegby (new facility)
- Morven Park, Kirkby (new facility)
- Selston High School (refurbishing the existing facilities)
- Titchfield Park, Hucknall (refurbishing the existing facilities)
The Football Foundation will provide 75 percent of the £1.255 million build costs and offer technical expertise for the facilities. PlayZones have a multi-use games area with built-in goalposts, hoops, and/or nets, surfaced with tarmac or a synthetic surface.
The facilities are fenced and gated and need to be booked in advance, with a balanced programme of paid-for and free activities.
Ashfield District Council undertook a consultation programme with 500 residents, asking for their views ahead of finalising the plans. These included women and families, community groups, schools, and users of current facilities.
The majority of those asked were supportive of improving sports facilities in their area and said they were keen to see activities such as football, basketball, tennis, boot camps, bike riding, netball, and roller-skating made available.
Cllr Chris Huskinson, Executive Lead for Leisure, Health, and Wellbeing, said he was thrilled the council had secured the deal with the Football Foundation.
He said:
“Creating five PlayZones across Ashfield will give local people access to first-class sporting facilities for free or at low cost and builds on our commitment to making Ashfield a happy and healthy place for all.”
It is hoped work will be carried out during the early part of 2025, with the facilities completed and ready for use by the autumn.
Chairman of Selston Parish Council, Cllr Dave Martin, said creating a PlayZone at the high school would massively improve sports provision and facilities in the parish.
He said:
“This will be a fantastic facility both for pupils at the high school and local people who enjoy playing team sports. We’re delighted to have worked with Ashfield and the Football Foundation to secure this funding for Selston.”
The Football Foundation is a partnership between the FA, Premier League, Sport England, and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
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