Sporting investments go before council bosses

Dudley Council has unveiled plans to invest £40,000 a year in sports pitches and changing rooms.

A major review of sporting facilities found many changing rooms and pitches were in need of investment.

Council bosses said Dudley had a legacy of producing the world’s best sports stars, but needed to invest in grass root facilities to inspire the next generation.

Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the council, said:

We have a strong legacy of producing sporting stars that we have to build on. Many of our pitches and changing rooms need investment to make them more attractive to teams to come and play in the borough. If we don’t bring them up to a better standard they will go elsewhere.”

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member responsible for parks and open spaces, added:

We have award-winning parks and open spaces and we have to bring our sporting facilities up to the same high standards.

Some of the changing facilities date back almost 50 years and need bringing up to modern standards. The budget proposals show we are serious about investment and sports facilities are high on the agenda.”

The proposals have been put forward as part of the budget proposals for the next 12 months.

The council’s cabinet is set to rubber stamp the proposals at a meeting on February 12, before a final decision is made by full council on March 2.

As well as a programme of repairs and upgrades to changing rooms there are also plans to look at the energy efficiency of the buildings and improving some playing surfaces.

Councillor Harley also sponsors Britannia and Brierley Hill Bullets who both play in Kidderminster League.

Pictured: Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member responsible for parks and open spaces and Councillor Patrick Harley, leader of the council.