Contractor appointed for improvements to borough football facility

A contractor has been appointed to carry out upgrade works to an important football facility in the borough.

Following a £152,000 funding boost from Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council which was agreed in February 2020, SIS Pitches has been appointed to carry out upgrades at Winklebury Football Complex.

The project includes the installation of a new stand and turnstiles, a new public address system, additional fencing and a boardroom.

Work to construct the structures offsite has now begun and installation work is expected to be completed in September.

The improvements to the facility will help increase participation in local football by ensuring clubs in the borough are able to play at a higher level (Grade D standard) and follows the completion of a new state-of-the-art artificial pitch which was officially opened in December 2019.

To ensure the safety of contractors during the COVID-19 pandemic, the council and Hampshire Football Association will be making sure that strict social distancing guidelines are maintained during the installation.

Cabinet Member for Borough Development and Improvement Cllr Rebecca Bean said: “We are very pleased that this important work, which will ensure more clubs and players of all ages across the borough can benefit from high quality local facilities, is now under way.

“Ensuring we have high quality sporting facilities which local clubs and players can use all year round is a top priority for us and significant investment has been made by the council and the Football Foundation in recent years.”

Chief Executive at Hampshire Football Association Neil Cassar added: “We welcome further investment into the facilities at Winklebury Football Complex which will enhance the experience of our partner clubs and user groups for the season ahead. We look forward to welcoming all our user groups back to the site as soon as it is safe to do so.”