MP Adam Afriyie opens Binfield FC’s new changing facility at Hill Farm Lane

Attendees pose outside the new changing rooms. Photo: Colin Byers.
Attendees pose outside the new changing rooms. Photo: Colin Byers.

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Windsor MP Adam Afriyie was amongst the former players, players, committee and coaches to attend the opening of Binfield’s new changing room facility at Hill Farm Lane on Saturday.

The MP officially opened the new building which has been in use at the start of the season before the Moles took on Brackley Town Saints in an Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division fixture.

We spoke to project manager Glenn Duggleby who said: “This is the culmination of many, many months of design, planning, funding applications and project management to deliver these stages on time and on budget.

Already, we are feeling the positive impact from our new facilities with increased use from our members and local community for social events, community groups and training and development events for coaches and managers. To deliver this we are working closely with Berks & Bucks FA, Reading FC and local specialists in physiology, physcology and chiropractor practices.

“We thank all who have been involved in the project to date and all who attended Saturday’s event, in particular, MP, Adam Afriyie, who showed great support for our efforts so far and future plans.”

MP Adam Afriyie in the medical room at Binfield. Photo: Colin Byers.
MP Adam Afriyie in the medical room at Binfield. Photo: Colin Byers.

On Mr Afriyie’s visit, Glenn said: “Adam, engaged so well with everyone, from under 8s players and parents to ex players from the 1950 and 60’s as well as club members, supporters and sponsors. He seemed to understand what we are trying to achieve.”

The project so far and what’s next

Saturday saw the official opening of Phase I (new home and away changing rooms, male and female officials changing rooms and medical/physio room) and Phase II (new male, female and disabled toilets, new secure entry door from changing rooms and covered walkway between the two buildings, refurbished/new bar, chilled cellar room, extended and refurbed bar area, new board/meeting/training room and refurbished kitchen and food storage areas).

Coming up is Phase III, the construction and installation of DDA compliant paths, steps, walkways and safety barriers around the clubhouse, tea bar, changing rooms and access to pitches. Also, included in this final phase is new safety barriers around pitch 2. This is currently being planned for completion before the end of 2017, weather and accessibility allowing.

Open for business, Binfield's extended club house facilities. Photo: Colin Byers.
Open for business, Binfield’s extended club house facilities. Photo: Colin Byers.

These 3 phases are covered by circa £330k of funding from Football Foundation, The FA, Bracknell Forest Borough Council, Binfield Parish Council, Tesco community funding scheme and donations from club members and sponsors.

What did Mr Afriyie think?

The Windsor MP spent the early afternoon touring the facility and talking with the clubs committee, members and reporters. He said: “My congratulations go to Binfield FC for making this project such a success. It was an honour and a delight to meet The Moles. The stories that I heard from players, managers and staff, both past and present, really underlined the benefit that a refurbished clubhouse will provide to the community here. I am especially glad to hear of the positive impact that the facility will have on female football participation at the site.

“Thanks to funding from the Premier League, The FA and the Government through Sport England, as well as the support of the local councillors, the Football Foundation is working hard to deliver facilities like this up and down the country. These sites are encouraging more and more people to get active and enjoy themselves, and I’m sure Binfield FC’s new clubhouse and pavilion will see lots of use.”

FiB would like to thank Binfield for the invitation to the opening event, it is an impressive new development that builds on what is already in place will only increase the quality of football facility on offer to the wider area.

Have you used the new facility? Let us know what you think in the comments below.

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All photo’s by Colin Byers. There’s a full gallery from the day here.

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