NEW SPORTS BARN IN SEYMOUR PARK OLD TRAFFORD

Barclay’s ‘spaces for sports’ is investing £30 million to create sustainable sports communities across the UK. Barclays are helping local communities transform neglected land into sporting facilities.

Barclay’s spaces for sports initiative is currently working with 2 key partners – the Football Foundation and Groundwork. The football Foundation is the UK’s largest sporting charity which aims to improve our national game while investing in the nation’s health for the good of society. Groundwork is a regeneration charity.

The initiative has funded a brand new sports facility in Seymour Park Old Trafford called the ‘Old Trafford Community Sports Barn.’ The Barn is currently under construction and is due to open in August 2006.

The launch of the project initially took place in February this year and was attended by Sir Alex Ferguson, David Gill and Ryan Giggs who met and spoke with many local people from the area.

A multi agency approach involving key strategic partners, namely Trafford Metropolitan Borough Council, MUFC, and Trafford Community Leisure Trust and discussions held within in the community has lead to widespread support for the initiative.

The Sports Barn will offer a diverse programme of activities derived from feedback off people within the Old Trafford Community. By listening to local people we can provide a service that is needed and reflects local demand. Sir Alex Ferguson stated that ‘It’s from places like these that we will find the next Roy keane of the world’ emphasizing the importance of such facilities.

In addition To the Barn, the old tennis courts in the park are in the process of being renovated in to 2 ‘state of the art’ Astroturf pitches and 2 hard court multi-purpose pitches suitable for basketball etc. This has been funded through a partnership arrangement between NIKE, MUFC and Trafford MBC at an approximate cost in excess of £150K.

Ryan Giggs spoke for many in saying ‘facilities like these will help keep young people off the streets which can only be a good thing’
At last the Old Trafford community will have its own purpose built facility offering easy access to a healthier and more active lifestyle right in the heart of the community!