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Kettering Sports Park Delays: A 3G Pitch with No Teams

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Local football teams have been eagerly awaiting the opening of the new 3G all-weather astroturf pitch at Kettering Sports Park, but nearly nine weeks after the official launch, the facility remains padlocked. The delay has been attributed to a minor amendment on the land lease, which is awaiting sign-off. North Northamptonshire Council and its partners are working to minimize further delays and aim to make the pitch accessible by the end of October. The Kettering Sports Park was granted £810,330 by the Lionesses Futures Fund, topped up by a North Northamptonshire Council award of £150,000 and a Northamptonshire Football Association award of £50,000. The adjoining sports pavilion has been open since the launch event, but the main pitch has been unused due to the ongoing delays.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Kettering Sports Park, a state-of-the-art 3G all-weather astroturf pitch, was officially launched on August 5, 2023, but remains padlocked due to delays in finalizing the land lease amendment.
  • The delay has frustrated local football teams and residents, who are eager to use the facility's reserved peak-time slots and inclusive changing facilities designed for women and girls.
  • The Lionesses Futures Fund granted £810,330 to build the pitch, with additional funding from North Northamptonshire Council (£150,000) and Northamptonshire Football Association (£50,000).
  • The sports pavilion, adjacent to the pitch, has been open for use by the local athletics club since the launch event.
  • North Northamptonshire Council and its partners are working to finalize the land lease amendment and make the pitch accessible by the end of October.
  • The Kettering Sports Park aims to prioritize access for women and girls through reserved peak-time slots and inclusive amenities.
  • Local councillor Steve Geary expressed frustration at the delay, highlighting the need for the legal situation to be resolved properly.

Statistics:

  • £810,330: The amount granted by the Lionesses Futures Fund for the construction of the 3G all-weather astroturf pitch.
  • £150,000: The additional funding provided by North Northamptonshire Council for the Kettering Sports Park project.
  • £50,000: The funding allocated by Northamptonshire Football Association for the 3G pitch.
  • August 5, 2023: The date of the official launch event for the Kettering Sports Park.
  • End of October 2023: The projected completion date for the Kettering Sports Park, when the pitch is expected to be accessible.
  • March 2023: The month when construction work at the Kettering Sports Park began.

Sources:

  • https://www.northantstelegraph.co.uk/news/people/ps1m-kettering-all-weather-pitch-and-refurbished-pavilion-facilities-launched-for-future-lionesses-5258731
  • READ MORE: £1m Kettering all-weather pitch and refurbished pavilion facilities launched for future Lionesses
  • https://imagestore.jpimedia.uk/webimg/b25lY21zOmUyYzU4YzBkLWQwZmYtNDkxMC05OWQzLTU3OWQ2ZDNhZjIzNToxYWM0MGJjMS0wYmI1LTRhM2ItYWM3MS1jNDM0MGYxODY4ZTI=.jpg

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