- By Joe Locker
- Local Democracy Reporting Service
The planned £2.5m transformation would see a new all-weather pitch and an extension to the community building
Ageing parts of the Forest Recreation Ground’s sports zone will be transformed under a £2.6m project.
A new all-weather football pitch and extended community building will form a major part of the new-look zone, off Gregory Boulevard in Nottingham.
The initial sports zone was completed in 2015 but the multi-use activity pitch was constructed back in 2007.
The pitch is said to be “in need of replacement” in plans due to be presented to councillors on 19 March.
The lower pitch is within the sports zone, and provides a range of football development and other sporting activities.
However, according to Nottingham City Council, the lower sand and artificial grass football pitch is now “past its operational best and requires replacement” and the existing community building is no longer considered adequate.
Under the plans, which are set to be discussed and approved at an executive board meeting, the existing sand-based football pitch will be transformed into a new £1m third-generation (3G) rubber crumb football pitch and a 90-metre square extension will be added to the community building.
The sports zone facility is managed by the council in partnership with the Nottingham Forest Community Trust, which has pledged £300,000 in funding for the project.
Documents show Nottingham Trent University (NTU) will also pledge £500,000 alongside almost £1.8m in additional funding from the Football Foundation, which is subject to confirmation following a request.
A further £260,000 will be put towards the project through a pot of money set aside by the council as part of a condition and contractual obligation of the Sport England grant for the sports zone and pitch.
Documents show construction should begin in around February 2025 and the project completed by August 2025.