SEVENTEEN years after it was first proposed, Warrington’s £30 million Orford Park community sports village has finally been given the green light.
The borough council’s executive board approved the overall master plans – marking a major milestone for the ground breaking project.
Major cash injections have been confirmed by national and regional sponsors enabling the public, private and voluntary sector development to go ahead.
Fifty acres of land in a high profile location next to the A49 Winwick Road will be transformed into a valuable community asset providing a wide variety of leisure, health and education facilities on one site.
There will be football pitches, library, health centre and numerous other facilities.
The village is designed to help promote key local, regional and national aims including:
*Promoting healthy lifestyles and independence.
*Increasing the number of people participating in physical activity from 22.8 per cent to 34.9 per cent.
*Improving lifelong learning, the local skill base and employability of local people.
The sports village will not only provide a focal point for the local community and boost local pride and identity, it will also represent a London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games legacy for the North West.
Council leader Ian Marks said: “We have reached a major milestone in this ground breaking project and are now one step nearer to making the vision a reality. Our vision for Orford Park is about regenerating the whole area and increasing the health, well-being and empowerment of the local population. The project itself represents a powerful message about the ongoing development of Warrington and growing sense of identity and pride.”
Coun Terry O’Neill, leader of the Labour group, said: “The Orford Park project is a symbol of what can be achieved by working together with a broad coalition of public and private sector partners to deliver an exciting vision for Warrington and the region.
“It was initiated by the ward Councillors and with the local community at the heart of the project. It was their vision and hard work that laid the foundation for this exciting initiative, and there are some very exciting times ahead for all.”
The North West Development Agency approved an investment of £3.6million to the scheme and its chief executive, Steven Broomhead, said: “The Orford Park Project is an important scheme for Warrington and the region, and something the NWDA is pleased to support. Sport makes a huge contribution to our regional economy with latest figures showing it adds £3bn to our economy every year and supports 50,000 jobs.
“I am very much looking forward to seeing this site transform into an impressive modern sports village which will bring considerable social and economic benefits.
“During times of uncertainty in the economy it is encouraging to see significant projects such as this going forward.”
Other partners in the scheme include Sport England, the Football Foundation, Warrington Wolves, Warrington Town FC, NHS Warrington, William Beamont High School and Warrington Collegiate.
The community sports village is scheduled to open in November 2011 and will provide a blueprint for the delivery of future community sports facilities which is transferable nationwide.
Pictured: Representatives from the local community, council, ward councillors and partners celebrate reaching the major milestone.
