Construction milestone achieved for the new Football and Community Hub

Published: 24 November 2023

An important milestone has been reached in the creation of Derby’s new state-of the-art Football Hub. 

Contractors Universal Civils and Build have announced they have reached the topping out stage of the  build at Derby Racecourse, which signifies the completion of the roof on the building. This new sports building will regenerate football, providing fantastic sustainable facilities for all-year use, ensuring a long term future for grassroots football. 

This project has been made possible thanks to secured collaborative funding from Derby City Council and the Premier League, The FA, and the Governments Football Foundation. Upon its completion, the facilities will be leased to the National Football Trust from Derby City Council, with day-to-day management and operations overseen by Leisure United.

The new facilities will include three new full-size 3G football turf pitches (FTPs), as well as refurbishment of the existing FTP, a new community building with a community café, reception area and meeting spaces have been extended onto the existing Football Foundation funded changing room pavilion In addition to the  enhanced pitch provision, the Hub development will include increased parking spaces, improved entry and exit to the site along with improved foot and cycle paths through the park.

In March 2023, Universal Civils and Build commenced construction of the Football and Community Hub after being appointed to the project by the Council’s leisure development partner Alliance Leisure. The announcement of the topping stage completion is a significant achievement in finalising the external structure and roof of the community building. In parallel, TigerTurf, the appointed contractor for the 3G 
football turf pitches, has confirmed that their work is proceeding as planned. The project remains on schedule and will officially open its doors to the community in early 2024. 

As planned, the site’s grass pitches have been back in use since early September, meaning football players have been able to return to the Racecourse for their local league matches. 

Councillor Hardyal Dhindsa, Derby City Council’s Cabinet Member for Communities and Streetpride, said: 

Reaching the topping phase of the development of the Derby Racecourse Hub is a real milestone, and we’re now well on the way to seeing the completion in early 2024. This development will offer a remarkable state-of-the-art building and pitches for grassroots football in Derby, but it extends beyond football; it will also create inviting community spaces where residents can come together and enjoy Racecourse Park.

Commenting on construction progress, Will Gardner, Business Development Manager, representing Alliance Leisure, said:

With construction works progressing on time we are really pleased with how the development is coming along. The assembled team have come together to work collaboratively on the Hub and it’s been great to see the progress being made.

Martin Glenn, Chair of the Football Foundation, said: 

The new facilities here at the Racecourse will not only provide a boost to sport in Derby, but also a space for the local community to come together.

Thanks to the investment we receive from our funding partners, the Premier League, The FA and Government, the Football Foundation is working to deliver more Hubs like this across the country so that everyone can have access to great places to play.

Project partners attending the milestone meeting included:
• Councillor Hardyal Dhindsa - Cabinet Member for Communities and Streetpride
• Ricky Stevenson – Chief Executive Officer for Derbyshire Football Association
• Liam Rooney - Football Development Manager for Derbyshire Football Association
• Lee Rider - Senior Delivery Manager for Football Foundation
• Will Gardner – Business Development Manager for Alliance Leisure
• John Leaver – Marketing and Framework Director for Alliance Leisure
• Martin Davies and Rob Francis for Universal Group
• Derby Parks Team and project partners.

Artist impressions of the Football Hub and Community building.

Top photo attendees, left to right. 
John Leaver (Alliance Leisure), Will Gardner (Alliance Leisure), Liam Rooney (Derbyshire FA), Owen Swift  (Derby City Council), Lee Rider (Football Foundation), Cllr Dhindsa (Derby City Council), Ricky Stevenson (Derbyshire FA), Martin Davies (Universal Group), Rob Francis (Universal Group).

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