Work begins on sports pavilion to host Steven Gerrard Academy

Council staff and contractors at the Hickings Lane recreation ground redevelopment
By Jamie Waller, Local Democracy Reporter

Stapleford leaders hope that a new sports pavilion which will host a Steven Gerrard Academy will produce football stars of the future.

The £7.5m facility on Hickings Lane recreation ground will open next year, with classrooms and training facilities for youngsters.

It will provide two 3G pitches and a grass pitch for community use, and could include a dance studio and gym to help local people keep fit.

Demolition began this week on the current changing rooms, which have stood since the 1980s.

The academy, which was set up by the former Liverpool star, promises to help young people reach their potential as both students and footballers through a mixture of education and coaching.

The scheme already has academies in locations in Liverpool, Preston and Chester.

The new Nottingham edition will be temporarily based at the University of Nottingham from September, and the Stapleford branch will become the first permanent one in the Midlands.

Demolition begins on aged facilities on Hickings Lane Recreation ground

Broxtowe Borough Council leader Councillor Milan Radulovich (Lab) said it was possible the next Steven Gerrard would come through the academy, adding: “I hope he doesn’t go to Liverpool, as a Forest supporter.

“We’d love to see local people progress to an international career through sport, and I hope they find their foundations at the academy.”

He said the pavilion would also provide “innumerable benefits” for the wider area.

“This facility has been wanting to be upgraded for years. We’ve been successful through the Towns Deal, and is the accumulation of many years’ work.

“People will get whole range of community options, encouraging them to live a healthier, cleaner and energetic lifestyle.”

It is one of six projects being delivered through the £21m Towns Fund awarded to Broxtowe by the central government.

The Football Federation has contributed £1.4m, with £60,000 top-up funding from the Premier League.

Jonathan Little, head of economic development and regeneration at Broxtowe Borough Council said: “We’re over the moon work has started, to use football parlance.

“There’s been lots of hiccups and bumps but now we’re on the way. It will be the beating heart of regeneration and sport in the area.

“It’s what we in the regeneration industry dream about.”

The 57-week project is expected to be completed next autumn.