Thousands of sports-happy children and adults can now reap the benefits of a £365,000 project to create a new ‘state of the art’, all weather synthetic turf football pitch and a multi-use games area at Great Notley Country Park, Braintree.
There will be a photo opportunity when the new facilities are officially opened, at Great Notley Country Park on Tuesday 1st December at 2.30 pm.
Cllr David Finch, Cabinet Member for Adults, Health and Community Wellbeing,Essex County Council
Cllr Roger Walters, Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability, BDC
Brendan Walshe of Essex Football Association representing the Football Foundation
Paul Prosser, Chairman Great Notley Football Club
Cllr Lady Patricia Newton, Cabinet Member for Well Being, BDC
Cllr Margaret Galione – BDC Chairman,
Simon Wells, Managing director, ETC Sports Surfaces and Tom Betts of Surfacing Standards Ltd
will cut the ribbon to enable pupils of Edith Borthwick special day school in Braintree the first opportunity to try out a range of sports under the supervision of NACRO.
Cllr Roger Walters: “We’re delighted with these first-class sports facilities which will benefit everyone from professional footballers to school pupils and family groups. The third generation synthetic pitches, vast new games area, flood lighting and new changing rooms make this one of the best training facilities in Essex. It’s a pleasure to welcome our first young players here today to get a taste of the many activities they can now enjoy at the Country Park.”
Co-funded by Essex County Council, Braintree District Council, Great Notley Parish Council and the Football Foundation; and supported by Great Notley Football Club, the 61m x 43 m floodlit all weather pitch will serve the needs of Great Notley Football Club, alongside other clubs in the district.
In addition, the 43m x 19m floodlit macadam Multi Use Games Area, which replaces a smaller hard court area, will be available for schools, youth groups and companies to use for football and other sports such as netball, basketball and tennis.
Paul Prosser, said: "I am delighted that our vision some two and a half years ago has now come to fruition. The 3rd generation rubber compound base which makes up the larger All Weather Pitch will benefit not just Great Notley football club and the immediate local community but, with easy access from the A120 and A131, will draw others to a much needed facility in the area. We look forward to continuing to work with Braintree District Council and Essex County Council and other local clubs to raise the profile of youth football in the area. A special thanks to Mark Edwards (former VC of the club) who has pushed this project to completion with so much passion.”
Paul Thorogood, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “We warmly congratulate Braintree District and Essex County Councils alongside Great Notley Football Club and Essex County FA for their hard work and dedication in creating these new facilities. It is thanks to the funding from our partners the Premier League, The FA and Government that the Football Foundation exists to support this type of excellent project in Braintree.”
“This follows from a £1m grant that the Football Foundation awarded Braintree District Council towards developing a new 3G artificial grass pitch and changing pavilion at the Spinks Lane sports site.”
Cllr David Finch, said: “This has been an excellent partnership project which shows just what can be achieved when local communities, parish, district and county councils work together.”
Local schools, clubs and other organisations who would like to find out more about booking the all weather pitches, or multi-use games area can contact Braintree District Council on:01376 332326. Outside of bookings the games area will be available for casual use by visitors to the Country Park.
ENDS
