A FOOTBALL facility used by nearly two dozen teams, as well as schools and community groups, is set for a revamp.

The football ground at Barlows Park in Tadley could see the existing 58 seats in its spectator stand replaced and the stand itself expanded by an additional 68 seats.

This has come about using £5,149.61 of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council developer contributions collected from the Baughurst and Tadley North and Tadley South wards with the expansion subject to planning permission being gained.

Barlows Park, which is managed and run by volunteers on behalf of the council, is used by Tadley Calleva FC and its 23 teams, ranging from under 6s to adults, and is also available for use by organisations including schools and community groups.

The men’s first team currently play in step 5 of the football league pyramid and the improvements will meet the ground grading criteria for this step, enabling the team to remain at this level. The current step 5 criteria says that the minimum covered accommodation must fit 200 people, of which at least 100 must be seated.

Cabinet member for communities and community safety at the borough council Councillor Simon Bound said: “The council is delighted to approve the release of funding towards the costs of some much-needed improvement works to the spectator stand at Barlows Park. Our residents’ quality of life is a key priority and we’re committed to ensuring that residents are safe, healthy and part of thriving local communities.

“The management association at Barlows Park provides a venue which improves residents’ physical and mental wellbeing through football training and matches and allows people of all ages to participate, regardless of ability.

“This key project to improve the facilities will support initiatives to increase participation in football and benefit the wider borough by ensuring that Basingstoke and Deane has a football facility which is able to host step 5 teams of the football league.”

Chairman of Tadley Calleva FC Sandy Russell added: “The club is delighted by this funding contribution which will ensure that the necessary ground grading requirements will be completed by the FA deadline, enabling us to continue to compete at step 5.

"These improvements to our ground will significantly enhance the match day experience for all spectators visiting Barlows Park in the future.”