In 2023, a state-of-the-art £6 million Community Sports Village opened at Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone, marking the completion of the first phase of the zone’s development. The Common Edge Community Sports Village is a flagship facility, boasting 14 new grass football pitches, a full-sized floodlit 3G football pitch, a floodlit rugby pitch with a dedicated training area, and a modern sports pavilion designed to support both athletes and the wider community. The pavilion features six spacious changing rooms, two officials’ rooms, two kitchens, and a large community room, offering a welcoming and practical space for teams and local residents alike. Additionally, a 194-space car park with sustainable drainage and a new access road enhance accessibility to the site. The initiative is managed by Blackpool Council’s Active Blackpool team and aims to foster increased participation in community sports. By replacing the previous Common Edge and Collins Park playing fields, the new sports village not only provides superior facilities but also repurposes land for industrial use. This reallocation has unlocked 10.5 hectares of land, enabling the construction of a new access road to the Enterprise Zone and eight new commercial units, furthering economic growth in the area.
The project has been supported by significant funding, including a £7.5 million grant from the HM Government Town Deal, which also financed the new access road to the sports village and Amy Johnson Way. The Football Foundation contributed an additional £250,000 toward constructing the sports pavilion. The development brought together several leading consultants and contractors. Cassidy + Ashton served as lead design consultants for the pavilion and football pitches, while Wildes Consulting handled the highways design, creating a functional and efficient junction. Construction work was carried out by Conlon Construction for the pavilion, STRI Group for the pitches, and AE Yates for the new highway.
This cutting-edge sports facility not only caters to Blackpool’s sporting community but also acts as a catalyst for economic and social development within the Enterprise Zone, cementing its importance as a hub for innovation, sport, and industry.
Text source: Blackpool Airport Enterprise Zone’swebsite
Images by © Deeper Blue Marketing & Design Ltd
