A NEW artificial grass pitch at Partington Sports Village in Trafford has officially launched with an opening ceremony attended by special guests, including Councillor Dolores O’Sullivan, Mayor of Trafford, Councillor Tom Ross, leader of the Council, Councillor Catherine Hynes, deputy leader of the Council, Andy Worthington, chair, Trafford Leisure, John Lamb, chair of Governors for the West Trafford Learning Partnership and Broadoak School’s headteacher, John Knowles.
The facilities at Partington Sports Village, based at Broadoak School and operated jointly by the Trafford Leisure and Dean Trust, have provided valuable benefits to the community for many years.
The new, fully flood lit pitch means there are now two full-size all weather pitches available, doubling capacity for even more local players, teams and clubs to make use of the facilities.
In order to create a viable plan and secure funding for the redevelopment, the Dean Trust formed a working group with partners, including Trafford Leisure, Trafford Council, the county FA’s for Cheshire and Manchester and the Football Foundation, and submitted an application with input from partners, community residents and local businesses.
Following a detailed assessment, the Football Foundation approved a grant of £801,000, with the Trust also providing capital funds, and Trafford Council contributing £200,000 bringing the overall project value to approximately £1.05million.
The Council’s investment is part of a successful bid for £18.3million of Government Levelling Up funding, which further supports Trafford Council’s sport and physical activity strategy, Trafford Moving, and will see a multi-million pound refurbishment of Partington Sports Village carried out, including improving the BMX track and associated facilities, fully renovating Cross Lane Park changing rooms, and building a trim trail around the park to improve access and support walking and running in the area.