Published Monday 4 April 2016 at 14:22
A group of volunteers who are behind a scheme to revamp community football pitches are aiming to set the standard for a reinvigorating grassroots football.
The East Lancashire Facilities Development Association (ELFDA) made up of ie representatives from the three junior football leagues operating in the town are behind a plan to bring a collection of football pitches back into use that will then be managed by the volunteers.
After a year-long hunt to realise the project, the group have secured around £500,000 from Sport England and the Power to Change charity to improve the Blackburn based pitches.
Work will begin on Monday, April 4 to level, drain and refurbish the dilapidated Woolridge and College playing fields at Pleckgate which will then be used for local youngsters.
The works that will take around four months will see the nine new pitches that are have been unplayable for many years due to poor drainage and levels, brought up to scratch for the new football season September 2016.
In addition changing rooms nearby that have fallen out of use will also be refurbished for the players to use.
The scheme that has been supported by Blackburn with Darwen council is attracting attention from national football organisations and clubs around the country as a model to improve playing facilities around the UK.
The pitches will be used by junior teams who play in the local leagues as well as Blackburn Rovers ladies and girls teams.
They will also be made available to both Holy Souls and St Gabriels Primary schools who will be able to use them during the week when they will also be available to the wider community as open play space.
It is intended that the facilities once refurbished will be some of the best facilities for Junior football in the country
Bill Maynard the Chairman of ELFDA said that this project is a massive boost to the local community and grassroots football in the area.
“There is a national problem of poorly drained football facilities, particularly for Junior football. This project will ensure that the boys and girls of the Borough will be able to use well drained, maintained and level pitches for generations to come.
“I’m delighted that this project has been hailed as a flagship for the rest of the country and just shows what can be achieved by local councils working with voluntary organisations working together.”