Exciting plans to bring more sporting facilities and improvements to Jubilee Park in Huyton have taken a major step forward.
Knowsley’s Planning Committee has approved plans which will see a cutting edge 3G football pitch, as well as new sporting facilities for children and young people installed at the park.
The new site would also have hardstanding viewing areas, flood lights, acoustic and non-acoustic fencing, ball stop netting and a 51-bay car parking area with bollard lighting. The works will be funded by a grant from the Football Foundation.
The plans given the green light form part of a wider investment project to transform the pavilion and further enhance facilities for community groups, including the Friends of the Park group who run the ‘Jubilee Craftivists’ from the site.
The refurbishment of the pavilion which is being delivered directly by the Council, using developer contributions, will begin next month. These works will see improved toilet facilities, a new kitchen and a larger community space.
Plans for the park have been developed following a number of extensive community consultations with partners, key stakeholders and the wider community. These proposals have been updated to reflect the feedback from the community and to meet the needs of the different site users.
The new pitch would be managed by Huyton Juniors FC and could be used by other groups when not in use by the club.
Steve Smith from Huyton Juniors welcomed the news saying: “The difference this proposal could make to the valuable work we do as a club in the community cannot be understated. This could be transformational not just for our team, but the wider community – providing a top-class sporting facility in an area where it is desperately needed for generations of local children to enjoy.
“We have a team of volunteers who dedicate over 23,000 volunteer hours a year to coaching, organisation, and grounds maintenance – supporting the council to keep Jubilee Park a Green Flag standard park.
“Jubilee Park is our home, and we are proud of the work we have achieved in maintaining and improving the grass pitches on site. We have worked with the council to attract funding for the new toddler play area, entrance improvements and the refurbishment of the pavilion kitchen.”
Cllr Shelley Powell, Knowsley’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Neighbourhoods said: “The proposal will offer opportunities to improve health, physical fitness and well-being of young people within the local area and will make a significant contribution towards addressing existing health inequalities in Knowsley. In addition, the facility will support a broader range of community activities to be undertaken on site.”