Centre work could kick off soon

Work on a new state-of-the-art community centre with three football pitches at a village near Wolverhampton could start by the spring, it has been announced.

The cost of the £1 million project in Essington will be met by Wyrley Juniors FC, which is still £150,000 short of the final figure.

Bosses have already agreed a deal with Essington Parish Council to build the two-storey building complete with meeting rooms, changing rooms and showers in Long Lane, Newtown.

Bosses have already agreed a deal with Essington Parish Council to build the two-storey building complete with meeting rooms, changing rooms and showers in Long Lane, Newtown.

Villagers will also be able to use the centre for community-based activities free of charge for up to 52 bookings per year. It will also be available for private bookings.

The new development will replace an existing building used by the British Coal Board as a site office.

District and parish councillor David Clifft, chairman of Essington Parish Council, said he believed building work could start as early as spring.

"The current wooden building was in urgent need of replacement which the parish council couldn't afford," he said.

"The deal with Wyrley Juniors FC is the only way the residents of Newtown will get a brand new community centre. I believe it could start as early as spring."

Wyrley FC, which is a feeder club for Walsall FC, has a range of youth sides from under-sevens up to under-17s, as well as seven women's teams. Chairman of the club, Keith Hardy, said various grant applications had been made to different institutions to help pay for the facility.

"This centre would really set us apart from other local football clubs and we are very positive about raising the remaining cash required," he added.

Planning permission for the new centre was granted by South Staffordshire Council in July 2003.

The project must be completed within five years of when the application was given the go-ahead.

The complex would be the second to be built in the village with Broad Lane Pavilion and sporting grounds set to become the training headquarters for Walsall Football Club.

Work on the £500,000 project is set to begin early next year and is scheduled for completion in July 2007.

It will end the Saddlers' 118-year wait for a self-run training ground. The move, revealed by the Express & Star in October, has been hailed by Walsall chairman Jeff Bonser as "vital" for the football club's future.

Mr Bonser said it will prove to be of huge benefit, not just to Walsall FC but also to the community in Essington.

The club is planning to run a number of initiatives in the community, including football training sessions for school children.