£250,000 boost for football in Blackpool brings total sports investment in Stanley Park to around £700,000

The money has been secured from the Football Foundation, and brings the total current investment in sporting facilities in the park to around £700,000.

This includes spending of around £310,000 on a new athletics track, and £150,000 allocated to refurbish public tennis courts in the town including at Stanley Park.

The football pitch refurbishment, due to start in spring, will see a state of the art floodlit 3G football pitch built.

Antony Barrot, founder of Blackpool Football Therapy CIC (community interest company) said: “We have been using the 3G pitches now for over two years, four times a week.

“We cannot wait to have the newly refurbed pitches laid so we can get on them.

“Stanley Park sports centre management and staff have always been so welcoming and accommodating and the refurbishment will change everything for us so we can continue to get people out of the house to improve their mental wellbeing.”

Since 2019 80 different new football teams have been set up in Blackpool with more than 40 of these for women and girls.

It is hoped this latest investment will support further growth of grassroots football in the town.

Coun Jane Hugo, Blackpool Council cabinet member with responsibility for parks, said: “This investment into the 3G pitch at Stanley Park will undoubtedly bring more families into the park, which is fantastic.

“With the recently renovated children’s play area located close to the 3G pitch, and the beautiful views on offer in our award winning park in every direction, I’m looking forward to seeing the hive of activity brought by these refurbishments spill out into the wider park.”

New football facilities are currently also being developed with the help of the Football Foundation at Common Edge Community Sports Village, and there are plans for community pitches at Revoe Sports Village.

The old athletics track at Stanley Park has now been removed in readiness for its replacement.

The council is investing £305,000 with additional funding of £5,000 from England Athletics.

England Athletics had warned the track had reached the end of its life and would not be able to host regional or national competitions from 2023without significant investment.

A council report says: “The service collaboratively developed a specification with England Athletics, Blackpool, Wyre & Fylde Athletics Club and procurement to ensure the project met the needs of regular users and was suitable for hosting regional and national events.”

Meanwhile £150,000 is also being invested in upgrading tennis courts after the council successfully bid for funding from the Lawn Tennis Association.

The cash is due be used to develop four new courts at Stanley Park and to renovate courts at Cavendish Road Park, Claremont Park and Anchorsholme Park.

Coun Jo Farrell, cabinet member for community health and wellbeing said: “I’m delighted to see the investment in more of our outdoor sporting facilities.

“The work being carried out will see more opportunities for people across Blackpool, regardless of their age or ability to join in with football, as well as other outdoor based sports and physical activities.

“I am looking forward to watching sports thrive across our town, by providing opportunities and safe spaces for people to find ways to keep active.”