By james art A football ground in County Durham is to open indoor training spaces, function rooms and a new bar after receiving a five-figure grant.
The ‘South Stand’ venue is part of the £1.6m upgrade of the Beamish Football Center on Tyne Road in Stanley.
A grant from the Banks Group helped build the venue, which is not only part of Beamish Football Club but also serves as a hub for community events and activities.
Stanley Events, a local social enterprise, will host a range of activities at the centre, including knit and crochet meetings for older residents, advice sessions and one-to-one support services for local young people.
Anna Marshall, Manager at Stanley Events, said: “The fantastic new Beamish Football Center is an ambitious focal point for our community and provides a hugely positive context for the work that will continue inside and outside the building.
“We want this to be a central part of the local place-making agenda and set an example of best practice in the provision of multi-use public facilities and it is so exciting that the doors to the venue are now open.”
Most read
⏳ Last chance! Don’t miss The Northern Echo’s unbeatable flash sale. This is your last call to subscribe digitally and enjoy 40% off annual subscription. Embrace the news from your community today. Offer ends today!
A £10,000 grant from the Banks Group Community Fund enabled Stanley Events to purchase outdoor furniture for events and activities, creating a flexible outdoor space for visitors.
The funding has also paid for landscaping and tree planting around the pitch, with junior players at the club helping with the work.
This is the second time the Banks Community Fund has supported Stanley Events at Beamish Football Centre.
A previous grant of £20,000 was awarded to improve access to the site and create new viewing areas for spectators.
Lucy Hinds, Executive Assistant at Banks Group, said: “The new facility gives them a fantastic opportunity to build on everything they have already achieved and we are very pleased to be helping such an effective community organization to expand what it can do in the home our county.”