Ambitious £3m. new stadium plan is goal for Colne FC

Colne Football Club have unveiled ambitious plans to build a new £3m. stadium.
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The Reds currently play their home matches at Holt House, the former home of Colne Dynamoes, but the pitch and facilities have not been upgraded in 30 years.

Ambitious chairman Ryan Haigh spoke to Leader Times about the exciting plans which, if passed, will see the new 3,000 capacity ground built next door on a pitch currently used by the club's junior teams.

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The Northern Premier League outfit, formed in 1996, have submitted plans to Pendle Borough Council for the development which will see a new stand built, as well as hospitality and changing facilities which could all be used by the local community.

Plans drawn up by Lark architectsPlans drawn up by Lark architects
Plans drawn up by Lark architects

"Our ground and facilities at the moment just aren't fit for purpose," he said.

"The idea to upgrade has been in the offing for around 18 months after we held discussions with the league, FA and Pendle Council. Our current pitch is sloped and has had no real improvements for 30 years.

"To progress through the leagues we have to get something better. We are proposing to move to land further up, which is much more level. It has been personally financed by people involved in the club.

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"The cost is quite substantial for a small club such as ours but in the end it will make us more self-sufficient and reduce costs. We hope that the local community will also use our facilities which will allow us to recoup some of the costs, which we are funding ourselves."

AmbitiousAmbitious
Ambitious

The development will include a new full size floodlit artificial grass pitch (AGP) as well as:

• Four changing rooms and two officials’ changing rooms

• On site classroom and flexible multi-use space for football development, education, club meetings and other community use built into the club house of the stadium

• Car parking and landscaping

• Club offices.

Club directors estimate that the new facilities will see over 70,000 people hours use per year on the new pitch and 6,075 people hours use per year of the community facilities.

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Ryan explained that the coronavirus outbreak had slowed down progress on the development which directors had initially hoped to begin in the last pre-season.

If the application is passed in May, the club will begin work as soon as possible.

Ryan added: "The location will allow us to keep playing while the new development is taking place. We are now excited to push this forward and create a great future for Colne Football Club and the local community."