A state-of-the-art sports pavilion and community room will be unveiled in Barkway on Sunday.

Royston Crow: Gordon Baker.Gordon Baker. (Image: Archant)

The new pavilion – based at Barkway recreation ground – has two changing rooms, an official’s room with showers and a community room complete with kitchen and disabled facilities.

Barkway Parish Council is officially opening the £165,000 pavilion at 1pm with North East Herts MP Sir Oliver Heald on ribbon-cutting duty.

The project – which has been four years in the making – was made possible thanks to a £59,779 grant from the Premier League and The FA Facilities Fund, which provides grants towards developing new or refurbished grassroots facilities.

As well as a £50,000 North Herts District Council grant from the Parish Amenity Capital Improvement Fund and £40,100 from its S106 funding.

Through the council’s partnership with Royston Town Football Club, the facility will ensure that football continues to be played in the village.

Gordon Baker, Secretary of the Barkway Pavilion project committee, said: “This Sunday will be a very memorable day for the village of Barkway. It has been a long journey to reach this stage and Barkway can be proud of the achievement.

“Our relationship with Royston Town FC, particularly their youth element is crucial to the success of this venture.

“They will not only be able to use the facilities but they will become an integral part of the development of grass roots football in the area.

“The facility also includes a very spacious and much needed community room for a number of purposes, particularly meetings, presentations and training.

“The benefits and potential of the facility are tremendous and it will be an undoubted asset to the village.

“I’d like to thank all funders, particularly the Premier League and The FA Facilities Fund for their investment.”

Royston Town FC youth website editor Angela Baulk said: ”This is a great opportunity for Royston Town FC to help the people of Barkway and the surrounding area to become involved in football and to be more active and healthy.

“We look forward to a long and happy partnership with Barkway Parish Council.”

There will also be an open day between 1pm and 3pm on Sunday, January 18, when members of the management committee will show the public around the building.