Margate Football Club will be carrying out redevelopment of its football facilities at Hartsdown Park, thanks to a grant from the Football Foundation.
The project, due to start in November, will see a significant upgrade to the club’s 5-a-side pitches.
The redevelopment plan includes resurfacing four of the existing 5-a-side pitches and converting the remaining pitches into a new 7-a-side facility. The upgrades are designed to bring the facilities up to a modern standard, providing local players and the community with high-quality pitches to enjoy for years to come.
Ricky Owen, Chairman of Margate FC, said:“We are incredibly grateful to the Football Foundation for their support. This project has been in the works for a long time, and it’s great to see all the hard work, especially from our General Manager, Deny Wilson, come to fruition. “These upgrades represent a long-term investment in the future of the club, helping to boost revenue while providing our community—particularly the youth teams—with first-class facilities to enjoy.”
Work on the four smaller pitches is expected to be completed by Christmas, while the new 7-a-side pitch will be ready by the end of January 2025. The project will be delivered by AS Sports Systems Ltd, chosen through a thorough tendering process.
The redevelopment will also include upgrades to lighting and goal systems.
Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said:“The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government – to transform the quality of grassroots facilities in England by delivering projects like this across the country.
“Good quality playing facilities have a transformative impact on physical and mental health and play an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities.”
That is good news as long as the lighting is directed at the pitches and not Hartsdown Park. Does anyone know what his happening with the building works at the football ground? All work has stopped with no signs that it is due to restart anytime soon.