The centre, which will be located on the old Westfield School site in Mosborough, Sheffield, will have eight upgraded and better maintained grass pitches, eight five-a-side floodlight pitches, as well as a full-size, state-of-the-art 3G pitch. Plans also incorporate a gym, a running track, archery club and improved facilities for rugby.
Catering and bar facilities are featured in the plans as well as community space, meeting rooms a physiotherapist and offices into which the Sheffield & Hallamshire FA will relocate, having outgrown the current premises down in Kelham Island.
Every effort has been made to take into account concerns of local residents with a new entrance from Moss Way being constructed, deviating traffic away from the houses around Westfield Crescent.
Funding for the community project is expected to come from grants via The Football Association, The Football Foundation, Sport England and the Rugby Football Union plus some capital from the County FA due to the sale of their current premises. Naming rights and sponsorship opportunities will also be considered option.
James Hope-Gill, S&HCFA chief executive, said: “Sport is important to local people and brings fun, challenge and competition, as well as opportunities for social interaction as part of leisure activities.
“It is essential the site becomes the hub of the community not only for footballing activities but also by groups who are not involved in football, both young and old.
“Access to sports facilities or services that meet local needs positively influence the community’s perceptions of their local area, particularly for children and young people.”
Arnie Hattersley, of Mosborough Miners Welfare, said: “The vision for the centre is to provide a sport facility for the whole community and at the same time use sport to deliver wider social outcomes of inclusion, crime reduction, health improvement, educational attainment and civic pride for residents, utilising the power of sport to build a better future.
“We have been involved from the start as an important partner with the County FA’s plans and have provided valuable input into what local people need and want, as well as managing the site and ensuring teams can keep on playing while the project has been developed.”