Richmond set for double sporting celebration

Sports fans living in property to rent in Richmond can join in the celebrations to mark the opening of two pavilions in the borough this weekend.

At 10:00 BST this Saturday (September 10th) North Sheen Recreational Ground's new £1 million development will be opened by the Mayor of Richmond, Councillor Clare Head, as well as a mystery figure from the world of football.

The pavilion has been completely revamped - thanks to £638,000 from the Football Foundation, £350,000 from the local council and £50,000 from Kew Park Rangers Football Club - and now features new changing rooms, a large community room and a cafe.

The launch will take place as 300 children play in weekly football matches on the park's pitches, with mums and dads able to watch the event and see the facilities.

Three hours later, the festivities move to Palewell Common and Fields for the opening of its refurbished facilities.

Its new changing facilities and community room have been completed by the common's friends group and people will have the chance to explore them during an open house session.

A whole day of events has been planned by the friends group to accompany the launch, with people able to try out new sports including volleyball and boules as well as enjoy an art exhibition.

Councillor Virginia Morris, Richmond Council's cabinet member for environment and planning said Saturday will be a "great day" for sports fans in the borough.

"I'm incredibly grateful to all the volunteers at Kew Park Rangers and the Friends of Palewell Common and Fields who have helped us deliver facilities which are genuinely useful to the people who play sports and use the other facilities in both these parks," she added.

Paul Thorogood, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said: "We are delighted that Kew Park Rangers and the local community will have access to these fantastic new facilities and commend the club and the County FA for their hard work in making this happen.

"This is the latest example of thousands of projects across the country that the Football Foundation is supporting with money provided by our funding partners the Premier League, the FA and government."

Posted by Charles Mackay

Published 7th September, 2011

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