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A new sports hub with football pitches, tennis courts and a skate part to be built on the edge of a town has received a £3.5 million grant. The Community Sports Hub, which will be built on land at Knights Farm East, on the edge of Hailsham, has received the cash from the Premier League, The FA and government’s Football Foundation.
Building of the new hub, by Sunninghill Construction, is expected to start this autumn and be completed by 2026. Wealden District Council has been working with the Football Foundation, a charity which delivers grassroots facilities, on the plans and construction of the new hub. The funding has been awarded to the council through the Football Foundation’s Hubs Programme, which has already seen more than 20 multi-pitch hubs delivered across the country.
READ MORE: Cries of 'SHAME ON YOU' ring out as controversial development on old farm is approved The hub will include two floodlit full size 3G pitches, four dual use floodlit netball/tennis courts and two padel tennis courts plus other community facilities such as a café and meeting space, skate park and a children’s play area. Councillor Kelvin Williams, lead councillor for public health , wellbeing and asset management, said: “I am delighted to hear that the Football Foundation has awarded the council £3.5 million in grant funding.
“This award follows many months of working with the Football Foundation, local clubs and our communities and strengthens our relationship and highlights the importance of having this type of facility within Wealden.” Cllr Williams, a Liberal Democrat and part of the Alliance for Wealden (of Green and Liberal Democrat councillors), added: “The funding will be used to provide residents throughout the district with high-quality sports amenities and allow them to become more active by participating in a variety of different activities and sports.” 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.
“This grant award to Wealden council towards developing a new hub is fantastic news for the local community and will help give more people access to a great place to play.”.
