A new state-of-the-art sports facility was officially declared open today at a ceremony by representatives from Banbury Town Council, Cherwell District Council, and the Football Foundation.
The new Football Foundation PlayZone, located at Chandos Sports Ground, off Chandos Close in Grimsbury, is the result of a partnership between these three organisations with the intention of providing the area with a safe, inclusive and welcoming space in which recreational sports teams can come together, practice, and socialise.
The project arrives on-time and on-budget after the initial ground-breaking 10 weeks ago, which set of a period of construction that lasted throughout the summer with the goal of reaching completion by the start of the school term.
The project’s construction was predominantly funded by the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation, who provided 75% of the financial support for the build. Cherwell District Council provided the remaining 25% of the funding. Banbury Town Council, meanwhile, committed the land required for the project, and also agreed to provide the ongoing revenue support through the continued management and maintenance of the PlayZones.
It was decided by Banbury Town Council to build the PlayZone at the sports ground to provide an all-weather football training facility which can be used all year round. This facility compliments the existing grass football pitch as well as the play facilities at this location which are maintained by Banbury Town Council.
As well as football, the PlayZone will be also be available to those looking to play a wide array of other sports too, such is their versatility.
Cllr Shaida Hussain, Banbury Town Council Labour Leader and Chair of the Resources Committee, said, ‘The Football Foundation’s ‘PlayZone’ project is a fantastic new asset for the Chandos Close area, and will provide an invaluable resource to local youth groups and clubs. Installations such as this offer more than an outstanding sports facility; they are places for young people to socialise, hone their sporting skills and actively engage in a healthy lifestyle. We already have plenty of local groups lining up to utilise this newest addition to Banbury Town Council’s range of sporting venues, and we are incredibly grateful to our partners at the Football Foundation and Cherwell District Council for helping to make this project a reality.’
The Town Mayor said, “This scheme shows that when councils and sports organisations work together, collectively, the results are so much more beneficial for residents. Opening play zones and like this is one of the best things any Cllr can be involved with, it is a great facility.”
Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “I hope this fantastic PlayZone will be a great source of pride for the local community in Grimsbury who helped shape and deliver the project, without whom it simply wouldn’t exist.
“Thanks to the funding we receive from our partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government, the Football Foundation will be delivering over 200 PlayZones like this one across the country.”
Councillor Rob Pattenden, Cherwell District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Healthy Communities, said: “The new Football Foundation Playzone is a fantastic investment in the health and wellbeing of Banbury communities. It creates a safe and welcoming space of people of backgrounds, abilities and walks of life to come together through a shared loved of football and other sports. We’re delighted to have helped fund the new Playzone and to be delivering it today on time and on budget for people living in the Grimsbury area.”
To find out more about the Football Foundation PlayZones programme, visit their website: https://footballfoundation.org.uk/playzones-programme
Banbury Town Council encourages all Banbury residents to consult the council website at www.banbury.gov.uk or email at info@banbury.gov.uk for the latest news and information – including mayoral and councillor updates.
About the Football Foundation
The Football Foundation is the Premier League, The FA and Government’s charity that delivers outstanding grassroots facilities, more and better places to play, transforming lives and communities where it is needed most.
The Foundation’s goal is to unlock the power of pitches ensuring every community has a great place to play regardless of gender, race, disability or place.
Since its creation in 2000, the Foundation has £1.3 billion to improve grassroots facilities across the country – including 1,300 3G pitches, 15,000 grass pitches and 1,700 changing rooms. This has attracted an additional £1.5 billion of partnership funding – totalling over £2.7 billion investment in grassroots football so far.
In partnership with local authorities, County FAs and other community stakeholders, the Foundation has created Local Football Facility Plans for every local authority in England. These Plans act as a blueprint for providing the grassroots football facility improvements that each community needs and deserves across the country.
Visit footballfoundation.org.uk for more information on the Foundation and view the Plan for your local area.
