Manor Road Gym 3G Pitch and Multi Use Games Area opens

In 2005, a group of local volunteer residents took over the running of The Manor Road Gym and Activity Centre, with the aim of ensuring continued and increased usage of the Centre for a healthier and more active community, within the Brighton & Hove City and surrounding region. Part of this vision was to transform an abandoned  tennis  court area which had fallen into disrepair, into a state-of-the-art  Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) and 3G Pitch facility within a secured and floodlight arena which includes the option of playing the various but not limited to the following sports: Netball, Basketball, Volleyball and Football.

Despite rejections from National funding organisations, the volunteers persevered in raising the necessary funds. In early 2016, SITA Environmental awarded the Centre £50,000 and Brighton & Hove City Council's Planning and Sports Facilities departments had secured £172,000 of S106 funding from local construction projects. These  alongside funds previously raised by the volunteers, enabled the Centre to apply for Planning Permission.

Planning Permission was granted in early August 2016 and building works subsequently commenced on the 15th August. Now, after eleven years of focusing on the health and needs of the community, the Community Interest Companies trustees and volunteers are immensely proud to announce the completion of the 3G Pitch and MUGA and are open for business.

 Cllr Gill Mitchell, chair of BHCC’s environment committee, said: “This is a fantastic achievement by the community for the community.  It’s really good to see this project come to fruition thanks to the persistence of volunteers and we’re pleased that the council was able to play its part in helping to secure external funding. It will not only improve the area but provide a new sports facility for residents.”