New pavilion plans set to boost town's sport clubs

The new sports pavilion will replace an existing 35-year-old building at Chilton Fields in Stowmarket

Plans for a new pavilion will help boost a growing town's sport facilities, a council has said.

Mid Suffolk District Council says it has secured £1.6m to go towards replacing the existing 35-year-old building at Chilton Fields in Stowmarket.

The pavilion marks the second phase of the authority's wider sports, health, education and leisure project, which includes improved walking and cycling routes and the creation of an all-weather 3G pitch.

Green councillor Lorraine Baker said the new pavilion "would be welcomed to support all our sports clubs across Stowmarket and the surrounding area".

"[It] would meet the standards that we would expect for a developing town of this size," said Baker, who is vice-chairwoman of the council.

The money, approved by cabinet members on Tuesday, will be paid through the authority's Community Infrastructure Levy pot - contributions from housing developers paid to councils for investment in local services.

'Game-changer'

The council heard the investment was expected to create about 16 full time jobs and training opportunities.

Green councillor Tim Weller, cabinet member for environment, culture and wellbeing, has already described the new facilities as "a game-changer".

The new building would include eight modern changing rooms, as well as 216 sq metres of community space, a bar and sports viewing terraces.

Councillors believe it will allow sports groups to thrive locally, particularly in Chilton ward, where cases of obesity, asthma and depression exceed national averages.

As it stands, there are 625 people across 41 teams using the pavilion, with the new building expected to grow that number to 760.