A crowdfunding campaign to see an indoor football facility built in west Dorset is close to receiving a 'big boost' from Sports England with hopes for building work to start this year.
Tom Richardson and friends Ian Black and Jamie Harwood, who are coaches with Bridport FC youth teams, recently set up the Precision Football Arena - a not for profit organisation in Beaminster after identifying a real need in the area for an indoor pitch.
According to the group, this is because of the wet winter west Dorset had seen where flooded pitches brought games to a halt.
In the first day of fundraising, the group collected more than £4,000 and they are now close to receiving another boost.
Mr Richardson confirmed that so far, around £25,395 of the project’s £30,000 goal has already been reached thanks to the generosity of local businesses and the community.
He said: “Crowdfunding has been an absolute rollercoaster but it’s been going really well.
“We have been back and forth with Sports England who have said they are able to match the fund with £10,000 which is a big boost and we’re going for it now.
“It’s the full limit of funding that they are able to give out, and it shows that they have looked at our project in depth and consider its seriousness.”
The funds from Sport England will only be matched if the crowdfunding campaign reaches its target.
The group has also seen support from Bridport Town Council.
Mr Richardson added: “The support has been amazing, everyone in the community that I speak to says that the community has needed this for a long time."
He said that groups such as Dorset Abilities Group, has been in touch regarding possible use of the facilities already.
He said: “If and when it opens, we will have no problems at all in filling it.
“Dorset is falling behind in these kinds of facilities - you go up to London and they are everywhere but during the winter there is a real need for an indoor pitch here.”
If you would like to contribute to the fundraiser, visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/communityindoorpitch
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