Waverley Borough Council has begun the redevelopment of Woolmer Hill Recreation Ground in Haslemere with the development of a 3rd Generation football pitch, improving its sporting and recreational facilities.
Development started in January and is expected to finish in June 2023, in time for the football season.
The new facility will address the need for more football pitch capacity in the area, with Beacon Hill Football Club and Haslemere Town Youth Football Club benefiting from much needed training and match provision. Due to the durability of artificial 3G pitches, usage is up to 20 times greater than grass pitches and so in addition to the two partner clubs at the site, there will be an extensive programme of community use.
The Council has worked closely with Beacon Hill Football Club, which has raised significant funding to support the project. The project was made possible through a combined effort of partners in the community, with a major grant from the Football Foundation, Waverley and East Hampshire Community Infrastructure Levy funding and contributions from Haslemere Town FC and Sport Haslemere.
Chairman of Beacon Hill Football Club, Jamie Gaitshill, said; “We’re extremely pleased to see this redevelopment kick off and we know our players are too. The conversion of this land into a 3G pitch and regeneration of facilities in this area will benefit not just our football club, but sports clubs and residents in surrounding towns and we’re proud to have been able to contribute toward these efforts.”
East Hampshire District Council’s Portfolio Holder for Regulation and Enforcement, Councillor Angela Glass, said; "East Hampshire District Council is delighted to be able to support Waverley Borough Council in delivering this fantastic new facility with £350,000 drawn from East Hampshire's Community Infrastructure Levy. The pitch will be used by residents for miles around, so even though we are crossing district and even county boundaries, it makes perfect sense to work together to provide a facility that benefits everyone."
Waverley Borough Council’s Portfolio Holder for Finance, Commercial and Assets, Councillor Mark Merryweather, said: “This is a fantastic example of the council working with local community groups and a great use of Waverley and East Hants Community Infrastructure Levy to substantially increase leisure infrastructure. Encouraging participation in sporting activities is a key priority for us at the council, as we’re acutely aware of the positive impacts to young people’s physical and mental health, so this project is very welcome.”
Photo from left to right; Waverley Borough Council (WBC) Portfolio Holder for Finance, Commerce and Assets Councillor Mark Merryweather, Haslemere Town Council Mayor Jacquie Keen, Director of Woolmer Hill Sports Association Ged Hall, Secretary of Haslemere Town Youth FC Albert Hall, Haslemere Town Councillor Terry Weldon, WBC Haslemere, Critchmere & Shottermill Ward Councillor Peter Nicholson and Development Officer at Beacon Hill FC Neill Mcwilliams