A £153,000 pavilion was officially opened at Barkway Recreation Ground on Sunday.
MP for North East Herts MP Sir Oliver Heald helped cut the ribbon at the new pavilion, which replaces the previous 50-year-old facility that was in a state of disrepair and no longer fit for purpose.
The project was made possible thanks to grants from North Herts District Council and the Premier League and The FA Facilities Fund, which provides grants towards developing new or refurbished grassroots football facilities.
The grants enabled Barkway Parish Council to construct two dual-gender changing rooms, officials’ accommodation, a large clubroom and kitchen, accessible toilets and plant storage.
There is a high demand for football in the area and Royston Town FC’s youth section, 22 boys’ and girls’ junior teams in total, will play the majority of their home fixtures at the site.
Community groups and organisations will also use the new clubroom on a regular basis for meetings and activities.
Sir Oliver said: “It was a real honour to cut the ribbon at the opening of the new community changing room pavilion in Barkway.
“The new facility will be an excellent resource for both local grassroots clubs and community to use for many years to come.
“I am very grateful to the Premier League and The FA Facilities Fund for their investment into my constituency and to the members of Barkway Parish Council who have worked so hard to make this project a reality.”
Gordon Baker, secretary of the Barkway Pavilion project committee, said: “Barkway Parish Council is extremely grateful to the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund for its generous grant and to all those other people and organisations that have made this day possible.
“This new facility, to be operated with our partner club, Royston Town FC, will go a long way in helping to improve and sustain sporting activities for people of all ages and abilities in Barkway and the surrounding area.”
Councillor Tony Hunter, responsible for community engagement and rural affairs at NHDC, said: “We are really pleased to be able to help fund the new state-of-the-art pavilion.
“Barkway Pavilion Project Committee have worked hard to complete the project with the support from the parish council and Royston Town Football Club to ensure that grass root sport can continue to be played in the village.
“The new facilities will be a real benefit to local people and those in the surrounding area for many years to come.”
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