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Transformation kicks off in Stapleford: New pitches and community hub set to revitalise area

Construction work has started on a brand new sport facilities and a community pavilion at Hickings Lane Recreation Ground as part of a major regeneration project for Stapleford.

Work began on Monday (March 10) for two 3G pitches; a large 11-a-side pitch, a smaller multi-use games area for year-round use for all sports, and a community pavilion building.

The pitches will be used by Stapleford Town Football Club, the new Steven Gerrard Academy, and will also be available for hire by the general public.

Johnathan Little, head of regeneration and economic development for Broxtowe Borough Council, said: “This amount of money rarely comes around for a town of Stapleford’s size and it’s up to us as professionals to make the very best of it.”

He added the community pavilion will also be vital to wider regeneration in Stapleford.

“It will be used as a changing area, but also a whole range of, youth and community projects that can be run out of that,” he said.

“And of course the really important thing is in an area like Stapleford is to build something that’s nice and new gives hope, it gives opportunity but it’s not out of people’s financial grasp. ”

John “Maggie” McGrath, Broxtowe Borough Councillor said: “For years this was known as probably a bit of an anti-social behaviour area, which caused the police problem. Most areas in Nottinghamshire, become isolated and it’s funds like this that will help the youth realise they can make friends easily.

“Hopefully this will lead the young ones to think, ‘perhaps this is my future’. Not just sport, but being a part of the community and making a better life for myself.”

A development of the pitches being built, is the addition of a Steven Gerrard Academy, an organisation run by the former Liverpool and England Midfielder. The group operates in nine locations across the country and offers students the opportunity to complete football training alongside a full-time BTEC qualification in areas such as sport and media.

Peter Scott, chairman of Stapleford football club, said:  “We’re very fortunate. One of the lads who plays for the first team, his dad is a close friend of Steven Gerrard’s, and when we first spoke about the project with the new facility with the 3G pitch, it was kind of hand in glove that we could bring in an educational platform.

“I think the town is extremely excited and I know the football club is. It’s been absolutely brilliant, I think the football club will go from strength to strength. It will also offer more to disabled footballers, walking football and and grow the women’s game as well.”

A total of £1.5 million of the project is funded by the £21.1 million granted in 2022 as part of the governments £3.6 billion Towns Deal for urban regeneration. The other £1.4 million funding is a grant from the Premier League, the FA and Government’s Football Foundation.

The facilities are due to open in September.