Basildon Council expresses interest in new state-of-the-art sports facility
Potential future Premier League football stars could soon train at a new state-of-the-art facility in Basildon.
Basildon Council has expressed interest in a government scheme to bring a top-notch sports hub to the borough.
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The Football Foundation programme has been seeking authorities to partner with to help bring change to the grassroots game by creating a modern sports hub, which would offer top quality sporting facilities all year round.
The services supported by the hub would be based on demand in the area, but typically include two full-size floodlit 3G pitches, a car park, a café and changing rooms.
Basildon Council has put forward an expression of interest to the Football Foundation, pinpointing potential sites including Eversley Park, Gloucester Park, and Holy Cross Recreation Ground.
The programme draws investment from the Premier League, FA, and Sport England.
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Jack Ferguson, councillor responsible for culture, sport, children, and young people, expressed the council's desire to make it a "go-to" destination for sports.
He said: "The hubs programme is an exciting prospect for Basildon, which could bring a much-needed boost to the grassroots game, offering a host of other facilities that will benefit the wider community – and who knows, maybe it will produce a future star of the Premier League.
"This reaffirms our commitment to create a healthier, happier Basildon and outlines our desire to make our borough a go-to destination for sporting and entertainment facilities."
The site would operate on a not-for-profit basis, with the council and other organisations acting as trustees.
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Any extra income from the facility would be funnelled back into local grassroots sports, creating a sustainable future for the industry.
Basildon Council is now waiting for the Football Foundation's decision before choosing to submit a formal application.
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