South Swindon Parish Council has announced the successful completion of the Buckhurst Sports Pavilion renovation as part of its Buckhurst Field Improvement Plan.
Club members and volunteers joined the celebration
A ribbon cutting ceremony took place on Saturday at Buckhurst Youth Fest, where the Pavilion was opened by Cllr Neil Hopkins, Chair of South Swindon Parish Council and Deputy Mayor of Swindon Borough Council.
Those present also included South Swindon MP Heidi Alexander, and Paul Wainwright and Teresa Trueman, respectively Chairman and Secretary of the Swindon Robins FC youth football club.
The ceremony marked the official handover to Swindon Robins FC, who expect to host a grand opening ceremony at a later date.
The former changing rooms have now been remodelled to better suit the requirements of junior sports and community needs. The facilities have been modernised; the introduction of a kitchen area and a social space will provide junior football club, Swindon Robins FC, with a brand-new clubhouse.
Mr Wainwright said: "What it offers us as a club is a stable base, somewhere where we can grow again. I'm an ex-youth worker, and for me it gives me and the club an opportunity to practice and to do some more youth and community work in the area.
"If we can get a successful pavilion cafe running, that will help us to perhaps even fund coaches to go into schools and things like that."
Mr Wainwright added: "There are so many benefits. I always say the first thing is pride in yourself, your community, your team, and those are very great principles. The other benefit, obviously is health, fitness.
"Some of that comradeship they can get from those early days - those friendships could stay with them for the rest of their lives.
"I think that in this day and age where we're so technical, it's important to get young people active. I think we can learn not just fitness from team sports but so much more.
“We are delighted to have this partnership with South Swindon Parish Council, and I am really looking forward to a new chapter for Robins FC. We are proud to be in Walcot, and we hope Walcot will be proud of Robins. We look forward to making a difference in the community as much as we can."
Cllr Hopkins said: “We are proud to be investing in more facilities for young people. Robins FC is a fantastic Club, who aim to work closely with the local community.
"The neighbours have been very positive, and we hope that the new Pavilion, along with the various other Buckhurst Field improvements, will create even more opportunities for local children and families to get involved in Football and Sport.”
South Swindon MP Heidi Alexander said: "I think it's such a fantastic initiative that the parish council have been able to join forces with Robins FC to improve the facilities here in Swindon.
"Getting young people involved in sport is not just good for their physical health, it's good for their development generally, and I know that a lot of people in this area have felt it was a shame that we weren't making the most of the open space and the pitches that we've got here."
Cllr Emma Bushnell, Deputy Leader of the Council said: “The Sports Pavilion is a great example of partnership working between Swindon Borough Council and South Swindon Parish Council.
"The Pavilion is looking amazing, and I am glad that the Robins now have a home at Buckhurst. I was pleased to hear about their plans to further engage with the local community.”
For more information about the Parish Council and their initiatives, people can visit www.southswindon-pc.gov.uk
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