A community sports hub at Plymouth Argyle's Foulston Park has secured a £2.24m grant. The Brickfields site in Devonport is being redeveloped into a sporting centre of excellence and asset for the city.
The new state-of-the-art facility will include a gym, fitness rooms, café, soft play area, esports and youth zones, along with health and support services. A 3G pitch - measuring 112m x 68m - will accommodate football and rugby activities, beside a new athletics track.
The Argyle Community Trusthas procured the funding from the Premier League, The FA, and the Government’s Football Foundation, marking it as one of the charity's most substantial investments across the South West. The investment is earmarked for the construction of the new hub as well as broader enhancements to Foulston Park.
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Other developments funded as part of the package include a Football Foundation PlayZone and upgraded changing facilities. Additionally, the site will host Plymouth Argyle Youth Academy and Plymouth Argyle Women, with the construction process already in progress.
Mark Lovell, chief executive at Plymouth Argyle Community Trust, said: "The Hub at Foulston Park represents a transformative opportunity to deliver a facility in the heart of Devonport that can reduce health inequalities and become a beacon for community provision.
"It would not be possible to achieve our ambitious plans without the generosity of funders like the Football Foundation. We are looking forward to our continued partnership as we work towards opening The Hub in early 2025."
This new facility is a collaboration between Plymouth Argyle, the Argyle Community Trust, Plymouth City Council, Plymouth Albion RFC, and Devonport Community Leisure Limited (DCLL) and will be under the management of the Argyle Community Trust, reports .
Football Foundation chief executive Robert Sullivan confirmed the Foundation's commitment. He 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."
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He also expressed delight regarding the community benefits anticipated from Foulston Park, including a new Football Foundation PlayZone: "We're delighted that the local community in Devonport and Plymouth will now be able to enjoy all these benefits thanks to the new facilities at Foulston Park, including the new Football Foundation PlayZone."
Sullivan highlighted the bespoke nature of the PlayZones, indicating the involvement of the local community in their design: "As with all PlayZones, the new small-sided pitch will be designed by the local community who'll be able to step out onto the pitch and get active in a way that suits them."
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