First pitch of its kind in the county

Broxtowe Borough Council has approved £110,000 towards the new 3G Pitch – the first of its kind in Nottinghamshire.

The club, which took over operation of the football ground at Coronation Park in July 2014, was able to submit a bid to the FA and the Football Foundation for the development of a major ‘stadium’ 3G pitch thanks to the £110,000 from the council.

The money came from Section 106 contribution.

The council’s Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Coun Jill Owen said: “Our congratulations go to the community football club who have worked incredibly hard to bring the site back in to use for the local community over the past year in conjunction with the council’s leisure team.

“We have been impressed with their commitment to the borough and the new 3G pitch is an exciting addition to their existing facilities to help encourage more local people to stay fit and active.”

Eastwood Community Football Club CIC has worked hard over the past year to develop the ground and engage with the local community to provide opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to play football.

The ground currently has only one pitch with limited use due to damage which could arise from over-use of the grass surface.

The new 3G pitch would allow more people to use the facility and the development has been made possible by Broxtowe Borough Council beginning the development of a borough-wide Playing Pitch Strategy.

Section 106 funds are given to local authorities by property developers building in the local area, as a way of giving something back.

The money is usually used to enhance the community in some way.

The section 106 monies for the pitch were received from developments at the former Castle College site and from Notts Community Housing Association as part of a development at The Island near Plumptre Way.