New PlayZones set for Haverhill, Newmarket and Mildenhall thanks to £667,297 grant

New Football Foundation PlayZones could be coming to three West Suffolk towns to boost sports activity and participation after a £667,297 grant award from the Premier League, The FA and the government’s Football Foundation.

West Suffolk Council together with the Football Foundation carried out engagement with sports clubs, community partners and residents last year in Haverhill, Mildenhall and Newmarket to find out what people would like to see better catered for in the town and would use.

The three towns were selected by the Foundation as key priorities for potential investment.

Now West Suffolk has secured grant funding covering 75 per cent of the total cost of the three PlayZones.

The remaining money will be paid out of West Suffolk Council’s capital budget for play area refurbishment.

The delivery of the PlayZones will now be subject to planning applications.

In Haverhill, the new PlayZone would replace a multi-use games area at Motts Field and would cater for basketball and football, the two sports most requested through public engagement.

In Mildenhall, a PlayZone catering primarily for football as requested through public engagement, would be created on the site of the former town swimming pool.

And in Newmarket, the PlayZone would replace the multi-use games area at Studlands Park, with a facility that can be used for basketball, netball and football following the feedback of sport clubs and community partners in the town.

The new facilities include bespoke surfacing, fencing, electronic smart-access gates, low level flood lighting and access paths.

They would be available to clubs to hire for a fee which will cover costs including the use of the floodlights.

That income will also then allow for them to be made available for free casual play by children who are not part of an organised club hire.

They would, however, be required to book to access the PlayZone, which can easily be done with a smart phone, through a phone call or in person.

Ian Shipp, the cabinet member for Leisure at West Suffolk Council, said: “I am absolutely delighted to have the funding support from the Football Foundation to deliver these brilliant new facilities for the benefit of residents.

“Each of the Football Foundation PlayZones has been shaped through public engagement with sports clubs, community groups and residents to best meet local needs.

“Subject to planning permission, I’m confident that the PlayZones will be well used, helping encourage greater sports activity and participation both for clubs and casual play.

“And that can only benefit the health and wellbeing of residents of all ages which is a key part of our strategic priority for thriving communities.

“This type of project doesn’t happen without a lot of hard work, and I would like to thank all of those involved in making this happen.”

To find out more about the Football Foundation PlayZones programme, visit their website: https://footballfoundation.org.uk/playzones-programme