AFTER months of construction work, the state-of-the-art 3G artificial grass pitch at Cantley Park in Wokingham has been completed.
The new pitch was officially opened to the public on Wednesday, September 1, after investments from the Premier League, the FA, and the Government's Football Foundation funded the construction, which started in January 2021.
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As well as the brand new 3G artificial pitch with floodlights, the existing pavilion has been refurbished to provide new changing facilities, a viewing balcony and café. The café opened on Friday, September 3.
Cllr Parry Batth, executive member for environment and leisure, said: “The new 3G pitch, floodlights and pavilion are a fantastic addition to our leisure facilities in the borough, which will not only benefit the many football teams locally but many residents too.
“Tackling climate change is a key priority for this council, and the new 3G pitch will help us in our drive to reduce carbon emissions by offering local sporting facilities that our residents need and want.
"We are helping to reduce the number of teams travelling outside the Borough to play football.
"We are very grateful to receive the grant from the Football Foundation, which has allowed us to invest locally in high quality football facilities and support the grassroots sport.”
An additional 39 parking spaces, bringing the total to 164, have also been provided and include four larger spaces to accommodate minibuses. Four electric vehicle charging points have also been installed.
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The Wokingham Borough Council has also announced further plans for the area, including a new £450,000 play area to replace the current equipment near the tennis courts, designed to appeal to teenagers as well as young children, and will be designed with wheelchair accessibility in mind.
Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “We are delighted that the new facilities at Cantley Park are now open to the public after receiving Football Foundation investment.
“Good quality facilities support the health of local people and communities, which is why we’re investing in projects like this across the country with funding provided by the Premier League, The FA, Government and Sport England.”
For more information, visit news.wokingham.gov.uk/new-facility-opens-at-cantley-park-to-boost-grassroots-sport/.
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