North Warwickshire Borough Council welcomes the start of construction on a major sports facilities project at Atherstone Sports Club.
With a total project cost of £1,698,788, including £1,297,504 of funding from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation, the development will provide a new full-size 3G pitch and modern changing room facilities for the local community.
Atherstone Sports Club led the development of the project and the bid to the Football Foundation for grant funding. The Club will manage the new pitch and have an ambitious inclusive programme that will provide opportunities for local clubs and residents for years to come. The development will help address a recognised shortage of artificial grass pitches across North Warwickshire, creating year-round opportunities for sport, physical activity and community use.
The new floodlit 3G pitch and upgraded changing facilities will provide modern, inclusive spaces that support increased participation and benefit players, coaches and volunteers across the community. The facilities will be used by a wide range of community groups, including youth football, women's and girls' teams, walking football participants and disability sport programmes.
The new facilities are expected to achieve high levels of use during peak periods, with strong engagement from local partners helping to maximise usage throughout the day and during school holidays. This collaborative approach will increase participation opportunities for the community while also supporting the long-term financial sustainability of the facilities.
North Warwickshire Borough Council has worked closely with Atherstone Sports Club over several years to bring the project forward, including supporting the long-term development of the Royal Meadow Drive site and investing capital and Section 106 funding into the scheme.
Councillor David Wright, Leader of the Council, said:
"This is a significant milestone for sport in North Warwickshire and fantastic news for Atherstone and the surrounding area. We know there is a shortage of 3G pitch provision across the borough, and this investment will help meet growing demand while providing new opportunities for residents of all ages and abilities to get active.”
Councillor Margaret Bell, Chair of the Community and Environment Board, said:
“This new 3G pitch and modern changing facilities will make a real difference to local people, providing high-quality, all-weather facilities that can be used throughout the year. As well as supporting existing clubs and teams, the development will create more opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds across the wider community to get involved in physical activity, including young people, women and girls, and disabled participants.”
Julie Douglas, Atherstone Rugby Club Secretary, said:
“It is exciting to see the start of construction on these fantastic new facilities at Atherstone Sports Club and the wider community. This is the result of over 9 years of collaborative working with the Council and the sports associated with Atherstone Sports Club Rugby, Junior Football, Cricket and Hockey Sections have all contributed their expertise, skills and their support; an amazing achievement for volunteers.
“Local clubs will benefit from increased access to training and match facilities, helping them to grow, expand the sport offer, develop players and attract new members. We are delighted to be part of a development that will strengthen local sport and leave a lasting legacy for future generations”
Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said:
“The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government – to transform the quality of grassroots facilities in England by delivering projects like this across the country.
“Good quality playing facilities have a transformative impact on physical and mental health and play an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities.
“This grant award to Atherstone Sports Club towards developing Royal Meadow Drive is fantastic news for the local community and will help give more people access to a great place to play.”
Geoff White, Contracts Manager for McArdle Sports Tec said:
"We are delighted to be delivering this important project on behalf of Atherstone Sports Club and its partners. The new 3G pitch and changing facilities will provide a high-quality, sustainable sporting environment that will benefit the local community for many years to come. As work gets underway, our team is committed to delivering facilities that not only meet the highest standards of performance and accessibility but also support the club's wider vision of creating a thriving multi-sport hub.”
The development forms part of a wider vision for Atherstone Sports Club as a multi-sport hub, serving football, rugby, cricket, hockey, rounders, running and other community activities. The project is expected to make a significant contribution to tackling physical inactivity and improving access to sport.