Blackpool football pitch upgrade thanks to grant

The Football Foundation has agreed to give Blackpool Council a grant of £458,133 towards the cost of installing a floodlit 3G turf sports surface.

The grant represents 67 per cent of the total cost of the project with £150,000 also being put in by the council.

Its contribution is made up of £100,000 from section 106 agreements, whereby developers contribute to community facilities as part of planning conditions, and money from savings within the community and environmental directorate and property services.

The new pitch will be used in partnership with Lancashire FA and local football clubs for the development of the game including women's and girls' football, walking football to attract players aged over 50 and more opportunities for disabled players.

It will replace the existing sand-dressed artifical grass surface.

A council report says: "Consultation has taken place with Football Foundation, Lancashire FA, Football Association and both Football League Committees along with representatives of all local football clubs.

"Blackpool football clubs have committed to booking agreements

to utilise the new facilities to ensure the business case is sustainable."

England Hockey and Blackpool Hockey Club were also consulted about the change in playing surface but did not object to the loss of one sand dressed pitch "as demand for hockey has decreased."

The Blackpool Playing Pitch Strategy was adopted in March 2017 to provide a framework for the future provision and management of outdoor sports across the town.

3G pitches are third generation synthetic grass sports pitches.