Due to open in 2025, the building will be a state-of-the-art, accessible, energy-efficient, multi-use building with recreation and sports grounds on the Hickings Lane Recreation Ground.
It will replace some of the town’s out-of-date community facilities and bring people of all ages together to meet, learn, play and keep fit, including:
- A new, fully accessible, energy-efficient building
- Community café
- Multi-use events and learning spaces and community rooms
- 3G sports pitches and changing rooms
- Enhanced and increased onsite car parking spaces and cycle storage
The outdoor facilities will include an eleven-a-side 3G (a long-lasting high grade all-weather surface) pitch and a smaller seven-a-side multi-use pitch (already part of the main Community Pavilion scheme with planning permission) – as well as space on the park for two five-a-side grass pitches or one seven-a-side pitch.
The new larger pitch will create more opportunities for sport for those with disabilities or the less mobile and further community activity during all seasons, increasing the amount of physical activity and wellbeing for local residents.
The Steven Gerard Academy, which will open its first Midlands academy in Stapleford in September 2024, will use Hickings Lane as its future base for all football training and education. Not only will the Academy improve the education, health and wellbeing of children and young people and create job opportunities, it will put Stapleford on the map as a centre of excellence for sport.
A planning application is required for the sports pitches and local people are encouraged to view the plans and share their views via Broxtowe Borough Council’s planning portal before 15 April 2024.
This project is one of six regeneration projects funded through the £21.1m Stapleford Towns Fund.
Ian Jowett, Chair of the Stapleford Towns Fund, said: “We’ve worked together with local people to a find solution for the lack of quality community facilities in our town, and this new state-of-the-art community pavilion gives people what they told us they want and need – a central hub for everyone to use.
“We listened to what people thought about our plans at our drop-in event in May and our team has worked hard to enhance the plans to make sure that this landmark £6.4m investment meets the many needs of our community, which we know it will.”
