Bournemouth University (BU) is progressing a £2.7m project to further enhance the facilities of its Chapel Gate sports facility.
The projects are supported by a £1.7m award from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation and will allow the university to develop a large, bespoke multi-sports 3G football turf pitch and to renovate the site’s changing facilities.
BU purchased the Chapel Gate site in 2019 and has invested considerably to update facilities including the hockey pitches, enhancements to grass pitches, lighting and car park areas to serve the local sporting community and provide the best possible sports facilities for BU students. The site is operated by Bournemouth University Community Business (BUCB) and the new facilities will be for community use, as well as for staff and students to enjoy.
The new multi-sports pitch will accommodate either eight five-a-side, four seven-a-side, two nine-a-side or one full-size football pitch and can be used for other sports including rugby and American football.
Jim Andrews, Chief Operating Officer at Bournemouth University and Chair of BUCB, said, “It has been a pleasure to invest in upgrades to this site to-date, and we are very grateful for the award we have been given, which allows us to develop specialist facilities for long-term use for the benefit of the local community.”
Helen Palmer, Head of Sport and Culture at Bournemouth University, said, “These facilities are a long-term commitment to our investment in the site and provide state-of-the-art services for community use. This investment will help to provide a sports facility of the highest caliber for local schools, sporting organisations and the BU community to enjoy.”
Mark Rance, Chapel Gate General Manager, said, “We are aware that some areas of the site, such as the changing facilities, were in need of updating, and this money will allow us to provide a more enjoyable experience for all users of the site and provide facilities that will ensure that the site can be used to its fullest potential.”
Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said:
“The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government – to transform the quality of grassroots facilities in England by delivering projects like this across the country.
“Good quality playing facilities have a transformative impact on physical and mental health and play an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities.
“This grant award to Bournemouth University towards developing a new 3G football turf pitch and renovating their changing pavilion is fantastic news for the local community and will help give more people access to a great place to play.”
The work will begin on the new facilities in the coming weeks and will aim to be completed in late 2023.
More information about Chapel Gate can be found on the BUCB pages of the Bournemouth University website.
