Member Article

Rotherham industrial unit to be transformed into first indoor football centre

Work has been completed to transform an industrial unit into the first dedicated indoor football centre in Rotherham.

Chesterwood, a 74,738 sq ft unit at the Eastwood Trading Estate has been let on a 10-year lease by commercial property company Langtree and will be renamed as Rotherham Football Centre.

The inspiration for the centre came from three business partners who run pharmacy company IBI Healthcare.

The centre will be run as a not-for-profit organisation and will include four large 5-a-side football pitches using FIFA-approved artificial turf, cricket practice nets and changing facilities.

Bilal Nazir, management committee member, said: “We are so excited to have reached this milestone on the centre. As we are health professionals we had a dream of getting more people in Rotherham into sport and provide them with a well-equipped all-weather facility as there currently isn’t one in the area.

“To see our plans come to fruition and reach this milestone is very satisfying.

“When we saw the Chesterwood unit, we realised it was the perfect venue for our centre. The sheer size allows us to have the football pitches we originally planned, as well as additional training facilities.

“Eventually we plan to install a gym on the first floor to cater for more kinds of sport training needs.

“Our aim through Rotherham Football Centre is not just to provide facilities but offer competitive league matches, corporate tournaments, and assistance for the under-privileged and disabled with the belief that everyone has the right to play sport.”

Helen Gordon, regional manager at Langtree, said: “The idea behind Rotherham Football Centre comes from a good place and we are thrilled we have been able to help set up the premises needed to make the centre happen.

“This is a much-needed facility in the area and there is already a buzz about the difference it will make to those who want to partake in sports.”

Langtree operates a diverse portfolio of directly owned and joint venture property totaling more than 4 million sq ft comprising office parks, industrial estates and trade parks across the north and midlands of England.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Clare Burnett .