The AFC Fylde Community Foundation has revealed further details about its new £400,000 Education Centre, which is due to open at the £25m Mill Farm Sports Village later this year.
Construction has now started on the two story development in Wesham, which will comprise of six changing rooms with shower facilities; four multipurpose classroom spaces for The Foundation’s educational and health and wellbeing programmes; a state of the art IT suite and an 180sq/m function room with canteen, when it opens to the public in September.
The modern facilities will be used by The Foundation seven days per week, with the centre become the primary site for its successful education and enrichment programmes, welcoming people of all ages and abilities. It is estimated that in its first year of operation, The AFC Fylde Community Foundation’s Education Centre will see 29,000 local residents pass through its doors.
Financial support from The Foundation’s principal education services partner, Cuadrilla Resources, has been vital in helping to bring the charity’s plans and vision to fruition, with funds of £22,500 contributing to the build.
In a recent site visit, Tom Hutton, director of community development at the AFC Fylde Community Foundation, said: “The Education Centre is the latest phase in The Foundation’s ongoing commitment to offering an accessible and diverse range of opportunities to those living in the surrounding areas of Blackpool, Fylde and Wyre.
“Mill Farm Sports Village has rejuvenated the Fylde coast, providing excellent facilities for the local community to enjoy. We’ve been working closely with the team at Mill Farm Ventures to ensure that the arrival of the education centre is a continuation of this success and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank Cuadrilla Resources for their support.”
The centre will also be the new home of Fylde Hockey Club, with the team benefitting from top-level playing facilities, including a pitch made from GreenfieldsTX SW material and access to modern changing facilities.
Francis Egan, Cuadrilla’s CEO, commented: “We are pleased, as part of our ongoing commitment to the local community, to have provided The Foundation with financial support to deliver this fantastic educational facility.
“We’re looking forward to being able to welcome the first visitors to the centre as we’re in no doubt that the centre will make a positive impact on those who come through the doors to experience the excellent services and facilities that it will offer.”
