The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
A £150,000 grant application is being made to help fund improvements at Carter’s Park in Holbeach.
The aim is to make the clubhouse at the football ground a hub for a variety of sport and social uses.
The building needs reroofing and rewiring and in order to improve its aspect and make it more appealing a new entrance on the Park Road elevation would be created. Part of a hedge which currently screens the building would be removed.
Inside, a new kitchen and disabled toilet would be installed.
An upgrade of the floodlights on the football pitch is also part of the plan.
Holbeach Parish Council, as owner of the site, is making the grant application, supported by a number of social club members and local businesses which plan to carry out the work at cost.
Des Ford, managing director of D Brown Building Contractors and one of the people behind the Tigers Bar and Social Club, said: “We’re going to set up a separate club with a constitution. The aim is to include people like the bowls club too.
“The clubhouse is currently used by elderly persons in the Monday Club. The idea is to attract other people too – for instance, we know that Holbeach Town Band will be looking for somewhere to be based soon.”
Holbeach Parish Council has submitted a planning application for the work to South Holland District Council. The Inspired Facilities grant application will be made by January 11, with the next round of funding announced in April.
Coun Paul Foyster said: “It is the intention of the parish council to improve the facilities and increase participation in all sports and of general use within our open spaces.
“This is very difficult to do with extremely limited funds. One way round this is to apply for grants from outside organisations and the proposal is to start the ball rolling with applications for grant aid to pay for improvements to the Carter’s Park ground.”
He added: “We understand It is also the aim of the club to arrange for the existing fencing to be made more easily removable, so that a wider area is available when required for other sports, for example cricket.”
