The original Masterplan for Elsea Park specified the inclusion of two grass football pitches, which would have straddled the high-pressure gas main. Changes to HSE regulations prevented this from being delivered and Kier proposed splitting the pitches with one being located at North Green (north-west of Wherry’s Spinney). The Trust didn’t believe this was a workable solution and we broached the idea of a single Artificial Grass Pitch (AGP).
Subsequent meetings with the Football Association and The Football Foundation (who provided significant funding) confirmed their agreement that there was a real need for this sort of facility to serve Bourne and agreed to support the project in principle. The plans were discussed at the AGM in 2015 and 2016, with a formal vote being taken at the latter. There was overwhelming agreement that this represented the best possible outcome for residents and the local community. As a result, Kier submitted an application to SKDC for a Variation in the conditions of the Masterplan for the single AGP and this was approved in May 2017.
To secure the funding we needed the backing from local clubs. Bourne Town, Bourne Town Juniors and Thurlby Tigers all gave their commitment and the project commenced. Whilst this inevitably meant some compromise, the significant advantages this brings greatly outweighed those.
The partner clubs will bring grassroots football development to our doorstep and residents will be able to have use of the facility completely free at ‘resident only’ sessions. The floodlighting will maximise the usability and provide a safe environment for sport, whilst the pitch surface will also enable utilisation in all weathers and without detrimental impact to the quality of the playing conditions.
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