More than £470,000 could be invested in Sompting football facilities

More than £470,000 could be invested in Sompting Recreation Ground to improve football facilities and help secure its future as a community sports hub.

Adur District Council is working with the Football Foundation, Lancing Rangers Football Club and Sompting Football Club on plans to improve the quality of the pitches and explore the creation of a new clubhouse with changing facilities and storage.

Through the Football Foundation’s Home Advantage Programme, the council and clubs could access up to £250,000 in funding.

The council also plans to use £227,000 of Section 106 contributions generated by the major housing development in West Sompting.

The funding would allow the football clubs to buy new grounds maintenance equipment to improve the quality and durability of the pitches, which are used by hundreds of children and adults each week.

It could also help provide hot drinks and snacks at the ground, generating additional income to support the clubs’ wider community work.

A new modular clubhouse could also be built, including changing facilities and storage.

Under the plans, Lancing Rangers and Sompting Football Club would take over management of the football pitches.

A 25-year lease between the council and the clubs would also be agreed, subject to formal approval.

The recreation ground would remain open to the public and other users.

Councillor Adrienne Lowe, Adur’s cabinet member for communities, wellbeing and leisure, said: “Sompting Recreation Ground is a much-loved community space, and these plans would help make sure it continues to support local people for years to come.

“Investing in high-quality football pitches and a new clubhouse would give children and adults the opportunity to enjoy sport, stay active and be part of a team in a safe and welcoming environment. It’s a really positive investment in community sport and in the future of Sompting Recreation Ground.”

The recreation ground is one of 30 locations selected for the third year of the Football Foundation’s Home Advantage Programme following a joint application by the council and the clubs.

Steve Searle, Lancing Rangers Football Club vice president and Sompting Football Club manager, said: “It would be really exciting to get this investment for the Sompting community. Having been a Sompting resident for 55 years, it’s great to continue to see boys and girls, as well as the adult players, outside enjoying this wonderful space. This investment and the improved facilities would help continue to provide this and I’m sure would help to grow participation and further use of the area in the future.”

If the invitation to join the programme progresses, up to £250,000 would go to the football clubs, with the council receiving a separate contribution of up to £25,000 towards its costs in putting the scheme in place.

It is hoped the first benefits of the programme could be delivered and operational within 12 months.

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