Accrington Stanley Community Trust are starting a feasibility study in March for a brand new ‘Sports Hub’ at Higham Playing Fields in Accrington.
A number of possible sites had been identified over the past few weeks and following the approval by the Council at a recent cabinet meeting the project can now take the next step.
Martin Fearon, Community Trust Manager said ‘’The proposal was agreed by the council at the beginning of February which gives us the go ahead to get a feasibility study started and enter into lease negotiations.
‘’The proposed facility will include a full size floodlit 4G pitch, multiple grass pitches and a community building which includes changing rooms, class rooms, a gym and offices for the Community Trust.
‘’The main aim is to increase participation in sport, improve health and exercise levels and provide more opportunities for disabled people to access vital sport and education activities.
‘’Over the next few weeks we will be meeting with existing users of the site as well as the wider sporting community and local leagues in Hyndburn. The site will have a primary focus on community use and we see grassroots clubs as a big part of this. We want to provide an affordable state of the art facility that the town can be proud of for the next 50 years. It will also host a large number of our charitable programmes.’’
A significant amount of funds has already been raised and advanced talks continue with external funders. The Sports Hub is in the early stages of a process that will take around 12-18months to complete before the site is operational.
The facility will also host many projects that develop employability skills for people out of work, create new job opportunities, inspire people to become volunteers for local sports organisations, sports clubs and charities, and provide a pathway for gifted and talented young people into elite sport.
Councillor Tony Dobson said: “The project has got to be welcome for Hyndburn to have such a significant amount of money put in.”
Once the feasibility study has been completed Accrington Stanley Community Trust will present the findings at a future cabinet meeting as it looks to progress with the project.
Further updates will be provided on our website www.stanleytrust.co.uk over the coming weeks and months.
