PLANS for a Chester FC-backed £1.6 million community sports hub in Blacon have been unveiled.

Chester FC Community Trust has teamed up with Cheshire West and Chester Council to reveal a bid to transform the King George V playing fields into a state-of-the-art facility.

Subject to planning, the scheme will include a new full-size floodlit 3G pitch, improvement of the existing grass pitches, a new clubhouse with changing rooms and community facilities, refurbishment of the existing Pavilion to include an education suite and additional car parking and access to the site.

The sports hub will provide much-needed facilities for grassroots clubs and leagues, as well as delivering wider community benefits including improved health and wellbeing, increased participation in sport and new employment and education opportunities.

The council is investing in the project as part of its £2 million commitment to improve football facilities across the borough, with additional funding from national governing bodies and section 106 agreements.

The council says it has worked closely with the Cheshire FA and the Football Foundation to identify where upgrades can take place, as other beneficiaries include Seacombe Drive playing fields in Ellesmere Port and Frodsham Junior Football Club, based at Helsby High School.

Councillor Louise Gittins, Cabinet Member for Communities and Wellbeing, said: “We are delighted that we have been able to contribute to such an important cause and help to meet our priorities around health and wellbeing by making sport accessible for all.

“The funding is part of an ambitious plan to increase the number of people accessing grassroots football. It will also support The FA’s aim to double the number of women and girls who play football. We hope that the funding will help to benefit all of the residents in our borough at some point.”

Joe Bell, 3G project lead at Frodsham Juniors Football Club, said: “We are extremely pleased to be working in collaboration with the council as part of such an important project. The potential plans to bring new and improved facilities to Helsby High School will benefit both Frodsham Juniors Football Club and the wider community.”

Businessman Stuart Murphy has agreed to donate £200,000 to the Blacon scheme and the Community Trust, the charitable arm of Chester FC, now aims to raise £300,000 through public donations, fundraising events and working with local businesses to bring the plans to fruition.

Jim Green, chief executive of Chester FC Community Trust, said: “This is a hugely exciting project and will create an outstanding sports facility in the heart of the Chester community.

“We have worked closely with key stakeholders in developing the scheme and we believe it will have huge benefits for the community and grassroots sport in Cheshire West.

“King George V is a prominent site in Blacon but it is underused and in need of improvement and investment. The sports hub will address this and breathe new life into the area.

“It has taken a lot of work to get to this point but the really hard work starts now to raise the money needed to make this fantastic facility a reality and we hope the community will get behind our campaign.”

Preston-based Frank Whittle Partnership (FWP) has been appointed to develop a masterplan for the site and the Community Trust will now be consulting with local residents, clubs, leagues and partners on the proposed scheme.

Donations to the project can be made at www.justgiving.com/chesterfc-communitytrust.

  • For more information on the plans, and/or to be involved in the project, contact Community Trust chief executive Jim Green on 01244 371376 or email jim.green@chesterfc.com.