Date issued: 14 Oct 2019
The Colchester Northern Gateway Sports Park has been awarded £100,000 by the England and Wales Cricket Board, creating a strong partnership with Essex County Cricket Club and Colchester Borough Council.
The £100,000 will contribute towards a new indoor cricket facility in the north of Colchester, which will form part of the sports facilities that will be managed by Leisure World for Colchester Borough Council.
Cllr Theresa Higgins, Colchester Borough Council Portfolio Holder for Commercial Services, said: “We are delighted that £100,000 has been awarded to the Colchester Northern Gateway Sports Park development by the England and Wales Cricket Board. It’s an important step towards improving access to cricket facilities in Colchester and strengthens the partnership between the Council, England & Wales Cricket Board and Essex County Cricket Club.
“The Northern Gateway Sports Park development strongly aligns with many of the key aims of the Council, creating opportunities for residents and visitors to enjoy healthy, active lifestyles, and enabling businesses to flourish as part of this new community.”
The new indoor cricket facility will provide a high-quality four lane net facility that will be used by Essex County Cricket player pathway, match programmes and community groups affiliated clubs in north Essex. It will also be available for clubs, schools, community groups, businesses and individuals to hire.
Bruce Cruse, England and Wales Cricket Board Head of Participation, said: “We are delighted to work with Colchester Borough Council and Essex Cricket to further connect cricket with the community in Colchester. Increasing accessibility and inspiring more kids to pick up a bat and ball is a big part of ECB’s plan to grow the game over the next five years – Inspiring Generations. Thriving facilities are key to getting more people into the game and we are excited to watch the Colchester Northern Gateway development come to life.”
Anyone who is interested in finding out more about hiring the new Colchester Northern Gateway sports facilities should visit www.colchesterleisureworld.co.uk/northerngatewaysportspark and complete the expression of interest form.
The initial phase of the development comprises 76-acres of innovative and exciting sports and leisure facilities and will deliver extensive provision for cycling including a one-mile floodlit cycle track with a dedicated learn to ride area. In addition, the Park boasts a multi-use sports centre, housing indoor cricket, fitness suite, exercise and spin studios, a café and meeting rooms. The wider development also includes new state-of-the-art rugby facilities, two all-weather pitches, additional grass pitches and an archery range.
Construction has started on the development, with Colchester Amphora Trading managing the build of the development, and is due for completion in early Summer 2020.
Page last reviewed: 14 October 2019