Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith has welcomed a £38,357 investment from the Conservative Government to transform sports facilities in Penrith and The Border to get more people active and nurture future sporting talent.
Facilities in Penrith and The Border will benefit from the funding, and across thew UK, 1,700 new and improved multi-sport grassroots facilities are benefiting from £68 million from Government - boosting access to high-quality facilities.
Projects support a range of facility types, from the creation or upgrade of changing rooms, grass pitches and 3G football turf pitches and pavilions, to floodlights, fencing and improved disabled access.
This funding comes from the latest allocations of a £300 million UK wide capital investment in grassroots facilities to deliver upgrades, improvements and new pitches–making more high-quality facilities available for people to play football, hockey and other grassroots sports.
Successful projects in Penrith and The Border, include:
- £4,800 for goalposts at Frenchfield Sports Centre, Penrith
- £25,000 for pitch upgrades at Appleby Football and Squash Club
- £7,478 for maintenance machinery at Maurice Park, Tebay
- £1,080 for goalposts at Calthwaite Junior Football Club
Dr Neil Hudson, MP for Penrith and The Border, said:
"We've secured almost £40,000 for local facilities to help more people come together, get active and boost their mental and physical health. This is great news for our grassroot clubs that contribute so much to the heart and soul of our communities.
"I'm proud of Penrith and The Border's great sporting tradition and it is a real privilege to represent our varied grassroot clubs in Parliament. This investment will also nurture the next generation of sporting talent so we can see more Cumbrian representing our communities in domestic and international clubs.
"Helping people get active is key to delivering on the Prime Minister’s priority to cut NHS waiting lists by encouraging people to live healthier lives and become more engaged in sport."
At least 50 per cent of national investment will be spent in underprivileged areas to give as many people as possible the opportunity to take part in sport. This programme will also ensure particular focus on increasing participation among underrepresented groups such as women and girls, and those with a disability.
This will help to deliver the huge mental health and wellbeing benefits associated with sport, improving the wellbeing of the nation and helping to cut NHS waiting lists. Cutting waiting lists is one of the Conservative Government’s five priorities, as well as halving inflation, growing the economy, reducing debt, and stopping the boats
Culture Secretary Lucy Frazer added:
“We are committed to levelling up access to sport which is so important for the nation’s physical and mental health.
“Today we are delivering more than 1,700 new and improved grassroots sports facilities across the UK to continue to support, sustain and grow community and grassroots sport-so that physical activity is accessible to all, no matter a person’s background or location."
