Reds Trust signs 30-year lease on playing fields
JONATHAN GRIEVE
ACCRINGTON Stanley Community Trust has signed a 30-year lease on Higham Playing Fields.
The lease agreement came into effect as of last Friday and will allow the construction of the £2m community sports hub to begin.
After more than three years of consultation, partnership working and fundraising, the trust is now in a position to sanction the construction of the facility.
The new hub will take about six months to build and will become the new base for Accrington Stanley Community Trust, as well as providing state of the art sports and education facilities for many grassroots clubs, sports groups and local organisations.
Trust bosses say it will also create new job opportunities for people in the local area with
vacancies such as receptionists, caterers, coordinators and other key roles to be announced in the near future.
Martin Fearon, ASCT chief executive officer, said: “This is a huge step forward for our organisation and it is a very exciting time for the Hyndburn community.
“The 30-year lease safeguards the site as a playing field and recreation area for the many sports clubs, community organisations and general public to enjoy.
“There is a massive investment going into the site to upgrade the sports facilities to a high standard and provide a new multi-purpose building to cater for all sections of the community.
“We are delighted to have signed the lease and look forward to providing a first-class sports and education facility that will drive up participation rates, boost education and employability, and provide state of the art sports facilities for Hyndburn’s grassroots clubs.”
Coun Miles Parkinson, leader of Hyndburn Council, added: “This is a wonderful development for the borough.
“The enhanced provision of sports and changing facilities at Higham Playing Fields will be a great facility for everyone, providing fantastic arts, sport and recreation facilities which will be open for all to use, suitable for all age groups and a great bonus for future generations too.”