Plans that could kick-start the transformation of AFC Darwen have been revealed.
A new planning application has been submitted to create a brand new multi-functional facility at the Anchor Ground – home of The Salmoners – with a teaching space, conference facility and function room.
The application sets out how the work, being supported by Darwen Town Deal, could be undertaken in a three-phased approach to allow for the ground’s continued use.
It could also pave the way for future improvements to the rest of the site – including a brand new stand for spectators.
The move comes after more than £500,000 of private investment and a successful bid for an FA/Buildbase grant was used to upgrade the grass pitch to a state of the art 3G pitch and changing room facilities.
Chair Person Sarah Hindle said:
“AFC Darwen is proudly steeped in a rich history – being one of the oldest football clubs in the world.
“The club was early pioneers in the use of professional footballers in the 1879 FA Cup – which recently featured in the Netflix series, The English Game.
“These plans will modernise the facilities – making them fit for a modern and successful club.
“They will also improve the community offer to the benefit of residents in the town – creating a facility that could host fitness classes, conferences, functions and more.
“It’s an incredibly exciting time for the club – a chance to make a real difference.”
Money generated from the new and improved facilities would help fund the teams based there to allow them to develop and progress.
Currently, more than 20 different teams use the facilities including the men’s team, ladies team, juniors and a team of deaf players.
The planning application completes a hat trick linked to the Darwen Town Deal – with all three benefiting from £750,000 of Government funding secured by the board for ‘quick win projects.’
The other two sets of plans include restoring the town’s beloved tower as well as improvements to facilities at the Junction 4 Skatepark to take it to Olympic standard.
Chair of the board, Wayne Wild, Group Commercial Director of WEC Group – one of the town’s biggest employers, said:
“Plans like these are really exciting for the whole town.
“Creating fantastic sporting facilities that can benefit the whole community and can help make a real difference is an important part of the Town Deal work.
“AFC Darwen is an important part of the fabric of the town.
“This money would help secures its future and give it the chance to generate the income it needs to help its teams to go from strength-to-strength.
“Plans like these also create opportunities for local firms which in turn supports jobs – that is pivotal right now and a priority for us all.
“I’d encourage Darwen businesses to come forward if they have the skills needed for projects like this.”
The plans for AFC Darwen, the skatepark and a proposed elite cricket academy could help create a new sports village in the town.
You can see full details of the application at: www.blackburn.gov.uk/planning
For more information about the Town Deal, visit: www.darwentowndeal.co.uk
