Help Minehead Football Club realise new clubhouse dream

Proposals for a new building at Minehead Recreation Ground to replace the existing football changing rooms and hall have been gaining momentum.

The project involves the demolition of the existing building and replacing it with a modern purpose-built structure adjacent, as well as adding new, more cost-efficient, and environmentally-friendly floodlights.

The new clubhouse will meet the needs of the football club, as well as providing a community hall for groups to use during weekdays and evenings.

West Somerset District Council approved the plans in May, and the next stage is to raise money.

Colin Johnson from the Somerset Activity and Sports Partnership (SASP), who is helping run the project with the football club and Minehead Town Council, said: "The total cost of the new building will be £800,000 and a range of funders have been approached, and several expressions of interest approved."

"The plan is to develop funding interest over the next six months so that construction can start next spring."

Minehead Football Club has applied to the Jewsons Building Better Communities Fund for the £50,000 Regional prize. 

The project has been shortlisted from 2,000 applications to 25 finalists. To show community support the project needs people to vote. You can do this by following this link to Jewsons Building Better Communities Fund.
buildingbettercommunities.co.uk/regional_entry/minehead-fc-new-facilities.

"The award of the grant depends 50 per cent on the number of votes received so everyone is encouraged to get the word out via their social media or email and vote," Mr Johnson said. 

"The grant is only small in terms of the total cost but vital as the funding package is developed so please vote by the Sunday, June 18. Minehead deserves some modern facilities to serve the local community."

Director of Minehead Football Academy director Mark Vickers said: "We have 12 teams overall here, ranging from the new Tots team which is for 3-5 year-olds through to the Seniors, and 280 overall playing members.

"I think it is fair to say it is essential for club that we get this new clubhouse. The current clubhouse would cost an awful lot to repair - part of it is disused, there are leaks, there is no heating.

"But this is a project for all the community, we want all sorts of groups to use the hall, we want to be able to host parties and possibly weddings there and make it a real asset for Minehead."

If anyone would like to view the detailed plans they can be seen at Minehead Town Council offices in Summerland Road or at the Jewsons branch in Minehead. 

If you would like to express an initial interest in using the hall contact the project lead Colin Johnson cjohnson@sasp.co.uk or 01823 653990.