Football Foundation pitches in to fund new artificial grass pitch in Rugeley

Councillor Chris Mitchell

Published: Wednesday 02nd December 2020 | 1.58pm

Cannock Chase Council has been successful in securing a grant from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation to construct a new full sized third generation artificial grass football pitch at Rugeley Leisure Centre.

The award from the Football Foundation of £460,016 will be added to funds provided by Inspiring Healthy Lifestyles of £155,000 and £194,999 from Cannock Chase Council’s own Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) to provide a total investment of £810,015, benefitting local footballers with a state of the art new pitch.

The need for a new full sized pitch at Rugeley Leisure Centre had been highlighted during the development of the Council’s Playing Pitch Strategy which was approved by the Cabinet in July 2019. Since then an official planning application has been registered and was successfully approved in March.

Works are now due to commence on site in the coming months and will be completed well in time for the start of the 2021/22 football season.

Councillor Chris Mitchell, the Council’s Portfolio Holder for Culture and Sport, said: “I am pleased to announce that confirmation of the funding from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation can now signal the go ahead for this welcome project. It will complement and enhance the already fantastic facilities on offer at Rugeley Leisure Centre.

“The improved venue will provide excellent facilities for our local teams to play including harder to reach groups such as our walking football and our wildcat programmes for young girls. We are very grateful for the funding that has been allocated by the Football Foundation.”

 

Photograph:

Councillor Chris Mitchell, Cannock Chase Council’s Portfolio Holder for Culture and Sport.

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