Clare Mount Specialist Sports College in Leasowe is set to receive a £1.1 million investment for a new state-of-the-art 3G football pitch. The project aims to address a significant shortage of sports facilities in Wirral, an area identified as having one of the highest demands for grassroots football in the country.
Wirral Council's education committee is scheduled to review the proposal on September 22. The plan relies heavily on a substantial grant from the Football Foundation, which has earmarked the borough as a priority for investment.
Key Takeaways
- Clare Mount Specialist Sports College in Leasowe is the proposed site for a new £1.1 million 3G football pitch.
- The Football Foundation is expected to provide a grant of nearly £800,000, covering approximately 69% of the total cost.
- A council report highlights an acute shortage of football facilities in Wirral, forcing local teams to travel elsewhere for training and matches.
- The project is seen as a tool to address social issues, improve health outcomes, and provide positive activities for young people in the area.
- Councillors will vote on approving the project and the appointment of contractors on September 22.
Funding and Financial Breakdown
The total cost for the new all-weather pitch is estimated at £1.1 million. A significant portion of this funding is anticipated to come from the Football Foundation, the UK's largest sports charity.
The foundation has offered a provisional grant of up to £781,196, which accounts for 69% of the project's expenses. Wirral Council will be responsible for covering the remaining balance and any potential cost overruns.
PFI Contract Considerations
The school site, formerly known as the Kingsway Academy, currently operates under a Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract. This type of agreement involves a private company financing and maintaining the school buildings, with the council paying back the cost over an extended period.
To ensure the new football pitch is not entangled in the existing PFI obligations, the council will need to make a one-off payment. According to a council report, this charge to remove the pitch area from the contract is just over £67,000.
Project by the Numbers
- Total Cost: £1.1 million
- Football Foundation Grant: Up to £781,196 (69%)
- PFI Removal Fee: £67,000
- Projected Annual Income: £5,500
Addressing High Demand in Wirral
The proposal comes in response to what officials describe as an urgent need for more sports facilities in the borough. A report prepared for the education committee emphasizes the scale of the issue.
“The demand for football in Wirral is extremely high,” the report states, noting that a shortage of available pitches means many local clubs are “having to travel outside of Wirral to play and train.”
This mismatch between supply and demand has made Wirral a key focus area for national sports bodies. The report further explains the situation, highlighting both the need and the opportunity for investment.
A National Priority Area
The council report highlights that Wirral “has some of the highest demand for grassroots and competitive football in the country, but equally some of the lowest available facility provision.” This disparity has put the borough on the radar of organizations like the Football Foundation, which aims to improve grassroots sports infrastructure across the UK.
Community and Social Impact
Beyond meeting sporting demand, the new facility is viewed as a valuable community asset with the potential to deliver significant social benefits. The project aims to use football as a vehicle for positive change.
The report points out that Wirral has some of the most deprived communities in the country, facing challenges with anti-social behaviour, crime, and poor health statistics. Engaging residents, particularly young people, in structured sports activities is considered a key strategy to tackle these issues.
“Football is considered an activity which engages people and can be an effective tool for addressing health inequalities and promoting well-being,” the report concludes. The new pitch will provide a safe and modern environment for both the school's students and the wider community.
Operational Plan and Future Use
If approved, the 3G pitch will be available for community use outside of school hours, providing a much-needed venue for local teams and organisations. This model is similar to successful facilities already operating on the Woodchurch Estate and in Bidston.
A business plan accompanying the proposal projects that the facility could generate a modest commercial income of around £5,500 per year. This revenue will be ring-fenced and reinvested directly back into grassroots football initiatives, helping to sustain and grow the sport locally.
The council's role will be to formally approve the project, accept the Football Foundation grant, and authorise officers to appoint contractors to carry out the construction work. The decision on September 22 will be a critical step in bringing this long-awaited facility to Leasowe.
Broader Council Agenda
The education committee meeting will also address other important matters concerning local services. Alongside the football pitch proposal, councillors will review an action plan designed to improve Wirral's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) services.
The council is currently under a government notice to improve its performance in this area. While a report indicates that some progress has been made, the situation “remains challenging.” For example, while 87% of initial assessments are now completed within the six-week target, only 8.7% of Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) were finalised on time.
The council is focusing on 195 cases that have been open for more than a year, with one family having waited nearly two years for a completed plan. This highlights the ongoing pressures within the system that the council is working to address.