Crewe football club pushes council on 'stalled' new venue and 3G pitch development
A Crewe community football club has pushed Cheshire East Council on a 'stalled' new venue and 3G pitch development - by submitting an open letter.
Crewe FC, renting Cumberland Arena, aims to take occupation of an area of the King George V Playing Fields - developing the site for a new venue and 3G pitch.
Since 2016, the community sports team has been trying to secure a new facility - meeting the 'incredible demand' locally for boys and girls to play football.
On Thursday (February 23), Crewe FC chairman, Steve Parker, submitted an open letter to Cheshire East Council - pushing them to get the project moving.
The letter says Cheshire East has 'failed to deliver against its strategic objections to increase the number of 3G facilities in Crewe.'
Crewe FC says the new venue can be operated by the club at no cost to the council - with a total cost of the project aimed at £1.5 million.
The community club says it will make a 'substantial financial contribution' to the project.
Crewe FC still needs support via an application to the Football Foundation to help deliver the scheme.
As of February, Crewe FC says the project has 'stalled again' - waiting for Cheshire East to 'come up with the necessary information and governance' to move the project forward.
The club's joint Football Foundation application 'cannot proceed' without Cheshire East's full approval.
Currently, Cheshire East is 'finalising investigations' into the title deeds for King George V Playing Fields land.
Steve Parker is still determined to get the new Crewe FC venue and 3G pitch project off the ground.
He told Nub News: "What we want more than anything is to carry on growing football in Crewe so that young people can get all the benefits of doing team sport and playing the national game.
"We are a team of dedicated volunteers and we have managed to get this project going and now we have the frustration of seeing it slip back again.
"We hate turning people away and we shouldn't have to.
"We just need Cheshire East to make this a priority now and we need our community to help us make our voice heard."
Crewe FC is now at risk of missing out on 'significant funding' from the Football Foundation if matters are not 'resolved quickly.'
Now, Crewe and Nantwich MP, Dr Kieran Mullan, backed Crewe FC's campaign
Dr Mullan said: "Crewe FC have worked incredibly hard on this for many years and we only have the progress we have because of their determination.
"But understandably, they are increasingly frustrated that their progress is being held back.
"I think the senior leadership at Cheshire East need to know how important this is to people so I encourage everyone to let them know.
"There are always demand on council officers time but relatively minor things from a number of council departments are now holding this all up and putting the funding bid this year at risk."
Crewe FC says it remains 'fully committed' to its new venue and 3G pitch project - needing 'urgency' from Cheshire East Council to help activate it.
READ MORE: Major British fashion retailer set to close Crewe town centre store.
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