PREPARING FOR ‘KICK-OFF’ AT GREEN LANE PLAYING FIELDS
After some delays due to the current pandemic, Wiltshire FA is delighted to announce the construction of the new football facility in Devizes has now been completed.
Construction company, PAH Building and Construction, were able to safely return to the site in May and have successfully completed the build of the project at Green Lane Playing Fields.
With much of the staff at Wiltshire FA being furloughed, and a date for grassroots football to resume still yet to be confirmed, this is a huge milestone for the Association. Doug Imrie, Centre Manager at Wiltshire FA said “Although these are difficult times, we are still extremely excited to have reached this stage. It is a great facility, right at the heart of Wiltshire and we can’t wait to be able to open our doors to the local community.
“The finishing touches have been installed at the site this week with local signage company, Barefoot Signs, getting our new branding in place and furniture beginning to arrive.
Although the site is still closed to the public, we can welcome small groups to look around. If anyone is interested in viewing the facility, they can contact me to book a slot.”
Green Lane Playing Fields is situated in a beautiful location on the Southern edge of Devizes and has a full size, 3G pitch, three grass pitches, a bright and modern function room and fully equipped meeting spaces. The site is surrounded by countryside with stunning views.
Working with Devizes Town Council, Wiltshire FA embarked on the project to support and develop football in Wiltshire, offering playing opportunities all year round.
Green Lane Playing Fields is home to two local clubs - Bishops Cannings Youth FC and Devizes Town Youth FC. It is also hoped that Devizes Town FC will use the facility as a training base. Wiltshire FA will also use the facility to deliver a diverse range of community sessions and educational courses.
Anthony Hills from Barefoot Signs said, “I have connections with Bishops Cannings Youth FC, so I have been excited to see the development of this project, it’s been great to see it progress and now to be part of the completion.
My business is located just a few minutes away from the site, so I was keen to get involved and support Wiltshire FA with their move to Devizes. Having this state-of-the-art facility is a great thing for grassroots football in Wiltshire.”
Mikey Harford, Chairman of Bishops Cannings Youth FC adds, “We at Bishops Cannings YFC are looking forward to the opening of the new Green Lane Facility. We know that a lot of hard work has gone into providing this facility by the Town Council and Wiltshire FA and are very much looking forward to this future working partnership in providing football to all children of Devizes and surrounding area.
“During these unprecedented times we are fully aware that most children’s social interactions with friends has been limited, affecting their personal wellbeing. The slow, safe return of youth football and the opening of this facility means there is light at the end of the tunnel to every one of them, providing them with a small slice of normality and fun back into their lives.”
Wiltshire FA support over 1000 teams across Wiltshire with over 19,000 participants. The new football facility in Devizes will give Wiltshire FA, and the local partners, an opportunity to increase participation across the grassroots game and reach more people. The facility will improve experiences for existing participants, but it also aims to inspire the whole community to get involved in the game.
Nathan Sheridan, Chairman of Devizes Town Youth FC said, “Devizes Town Youth FC are very much looking forward to Green Lane becoming our new home. It has been a long process waiting for a new facility in this town, and we have had to be very patient, but now it has arrived everyone associated with the club is very excited about the move. We are looking forward to providing first class facilities to all our teams and hope this facility will encourage more children in the local community to take up football. If you want to know more about getting involved in football, please get in touch via our website.”
Sustainable football facilities are fundamental to the support and development of the nation’s game. The relocation of Wiltshire FA offices to Devizes represents a significant moment in the history of the organisation and it will see huge opportunities and benefits to the community. Wiltshire FA have now officially left their Swindon offices, after being based at Dorcan Business Village for 10 years, the organisation has now fully relocated to Green Lane Playing Fields.
Doug concludes, “We are facing challenging circumstances in English football and our decisions will always be made in the best interests of the game. Our primary concern will always be the safety and welfare of our clubs, players, officials and volunteers so during this time we will remain closed. We are putting in place measures for a safe return to the game and are truly looking forward to opening our doors as soon as we can do so safely. In the meantime, I am encouraging people to get in touch with me to discuss any booking requirements or sponsorship opportunities they have in mind.”