BUILDING a 3G pitch at the King George V Playing Fields has the potential to make Droitwich a centre of sporting excellence and give the town its ‘first proper football ground’.
Richard Whittal, the chairman of the Community Interest Company (CIC) which runs the area, said he hoped work on the new surface, which could cost up to £1million, would begin in the next 12 to 18 months, once all the funding was in place.
With work on the sports centre already well underway, Sport England’s ‘Playing Pitch Strategy’ recommended the playing fields have a 3G football pitch and a new spectator stand as part of its development with an upgrade of the sports pavilion and a shower block.
That development would also give Droitwich Spa FC a solid base to enable them to progress to the next level.
The Saltmen narrowly missed out on promotion last season but, had they finished in the top two, they would have had to ground share with Bromyard Town – over 20 miles away.
CIC chairman Richard Whittall described the potential upgrades as ‘brilliant’ and said, currently, Droitwich was the only town or city in Worcestershire not to have a 3G pitch.
“Droitwich needs these facilities and the developments not only benefit the town’s football team, but benefit the community as a whole.”
Droitwich Spa FC chairman Peter Lemon said: “The developments would mean, for the very first time, the town would have a proper football ground.
“It would not only be a massive boost for the area but the upgrades would also allow us to compete at the highest level of football we can.”
He added while work took place, the club would use one of the other pitches at the playing fields or could ground share.
But, he said, he would do his best to keep football in Droitwich during those times as the fans last season were a real driving force behind the club.
The CIC is working closely with Wychavon District Council, Wychavon Leisure Community Association Limited, the Worcestershire Football Association and Droitwich Spa Town Council to develop sporting activities in Droitwich including the playing fields.
The CIC has also received financial support from numerous organisations, including local authorities, Worcestershire FA, Sport UK, Sports Partnership Worcestershire and Hereford, the ECB, Worcestershire CCC, Warwickshire CCC, UK Netball and local businesses.
* A CHARITY dinner and raffle will be held at the Chateau Impney at 4.30pm on September 10 to boost the fund-raising coffers for the 3G pitch.
Organisations which help fund-raise can keep half of the money they collect from selling raffle tickets.
E-mail [email protected] or call Richard on 07974 177230 for more.
