Official opening for Great Yarmouth's upgraded Wellesley Recreation Ground
Great Yarmouth's Wellesley Recreation Ground, which contains what is thought to be the oldest wooden football grandstand in Britain - and possibly the world - is set to reopen to the public following major improvements.
The regeneration project, a collaborative effort between local authorities and community stakeholders, has transformed Wellesley Recreation Ground into a state-of-the-art facility. The reopening marks the result of months of dedicated planning, development and investment, with the aim of creating a park that meets the evolving needs and desires of the people in the borough.
To celebrate this significant occasion, Wellesley Recreation Ground will be hosting a reopening ceremony on Saturday, June 17, from 9.30am. The event will feature exhibition matches with representative teams from Great Yarmouth Town FC, including girls, youths and under 18s and will offer the opportunity for people to explore and experience the new facilities.
Mayor of Great Yarmouth, Cllr Penny Carpenter, will officially open the grounds with a speech and ribbon cutting at 10.30am, with the event drawing to a close at about 11am.
Great Yarmouth Borough Council worked with the Premier League, The Football Association and the Government's Football Foundation to improve facilities at the Wellesley Recreation Ground in the town. Thanks to a Football Foundation grant of £747,078 and match funding of £225,000 from Great Yarmouth Borough Council, a total of £972,078 was invested in the grounds.
The funding covered the construction of a new floodlit 9 v 9 3G artificial grass football pitch and renovation works to the Grade II listed tennis pavilion building, bringing the building back into use by providing changing and meeting facilities to support the new pitch.
Cllr Emma Flaxman-Taylor, Portfolio Holder for Housing, Health and Communities, said "The Wellesley Recreation Ground represents a significant investment in the overall wellbeing and quality of life for the borough's residents, as well as providing a wide range of recreational opportunities and promoting an active lifestyle for all.
"The reopening of the Wellesley Recreation Ground is a testament to the collaborative spirit and commitment of the local community and the stakeholders involved. We are encouraging people to come along to the opening event to see what can be achieved when collective efforts come together to enhance public spaces and enrich the lives of residents."
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