Member Article

Sports Village plans under consideration in Burnley

Burnley council is considering plans for a £2.5million redevelopment that would transform ordinary playing fields into an ultra-modern facility, Prairie Sports Village.

Plans have been submitted for a floodlit 3G football pitch and a 24-bay golf practice range at the council-owned site.

Earlier this year, the playing fields, on the corner of Colne Road and Windermere Avenue, were awarded £350,000 of lottery cash by Sport England towards the improvement of pitches.

The proposals would see the current male-only changing pavilion demolished and replaced with a modern 12-room complex, with disabled access.

It will also include a gym, a multi-use studio, a reception, a small retail area and a lounge with vending machines and toilets.

Burnley Football Club, the Lancashire Football Association, the Rugby Football League, and the English Golf Union are all supporting the bid.

A design and access statement submitted by the council said: “The renewed 3G pitch will rejuvenate the complex and put it back into the centre of local amateur football, creating a valuable resource, not just for training purposes, but also as a four-season playing surface.

“In terms of growth and retention, the facility will serve Burnley Football Club’s Community Section, which will target three key areas of growth: disability; women and girls; and an advanced coaching centre for juniors.

Current users of the pitches include Burnley Tornados American Football Club, and Burnley and Pendle Rugby League Football Club.

Bob Lennard, secretary of Burnley and Pendle RLFC said: “Anything that improves the facilities up here is a good thing.

“We used the fields last season after moving from Nelson because most of our players come from Burnley. Hopefully with better facilities we can base ourselves there for a bit longer and attract even more players.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .