Advantage Whittlesey as town sports fresh look

Advantage Whittlesey as town sports fresh look

Thanks to thousands of pounds in funding from the Combined Authority, the sports court in the grounds of Whittlesey’s Manor Leisure Centre is getting a makeover.

It will be resurfaced, repainted and marked out to be used as either three tennis courts, or two netball courts, and the lighting will be improved.

The Fenland District Council project is expected to cost some £70k and is made possible with grants from Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority and FCC Communities Foundation.

The work has been awarded up to £55,000 from Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Market Towns Programme, with support from a grant from FCC Communities Foundation.

Deputy Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, Cllr Anna Smith:

“It’s great news that work is starting on a project so much at the heart of town life, one that appeals across the generations.

“The Combined Authority is hugely committed to investing in the Fens area generally and the market towns in particular, so supporting Whittlesey in developing community spaces and assets in this way – with an eye to public health and fitness, green energy, and to town history and culture is exactly what we are here for.”

The Combined Authority grant for the sports court is part of an award of £195k to Fenland District Council for a clutch of Whittlesey Town Projects, which also include improvements to Whittlesey marketplace, a heritage library display, and improvements to the Manor Leisure Centre solar power system.

An additional £265,000 from the Combined Authority Market Towns Programme  is also funding the next step in assessing evidence for a Whittlesey relief road, with the development of a Strategic Outline Business Case to look at potential solutions to traffic congestion around the town.

Work on the fencing at the Manor Field netball and tennis court site is due to be complete in November. Lighting improvements are due to follow and resurfacing will be done by Spring.

Cllr Alex Miscandlon, portfolio holder for leisure: “We’re delighted work is now beginning to turn this court into a great asset for the people of Whittlesey.

“It’ll become a good quality facility for people to use for tennis and netball into the future.

“We’d like to thank all the partners we’re working with to get this project moving and to ensure long-term management arrangements of the court.”

Penny Horne, FCC Communities Foundation grant manager: “We’re delighted to be supporting the Whittlesey Manor Field Improvements project and pleased our funding will help improve the existing sports facility for people living in Whittlesey and the surrounding area.

“FCC Communities Foundation is always happy to consider grant applications for projects that make a difference to local communities and we’re really looking forward to seeing this one take shape soon.”