The Hub celebrates its official opening, bringing high-quality sporting and community facilities to the area.

A signifiant £16.7 million investment in sports facilities

A £16.7 million investment in sport, physical activity and community wellbeing has been celebrated with the official opening of the new Wealden Community Sports Hub.

The Hub, which opened to the public in August, is already providing new opportunities for people living in Heathfield and across the surrounding area to get active, take part in sport and meet others in the community. The facilities include in addition to fooball, netball, tennis, padel, a skate park, children’s play area, community café, meeting space and modern changing facilities.

The development has been funded with £13.2 million from Wealden District Council, together with a £3.5 million grant from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation.

The Lord-Lieutenant of East Sussex, Andrew Blackman, officially opened the Hub at a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by representatives from the council, sporting organisations and the teams involved in delivering and running the new facility.

For local residents, one of the biggest benefits is having a wide range of high-quality sporting and community facilities available in one place. The Hub has been designed for people of different ages and abilities, whether they are involved in a local football club, looking for a way to become more active or simply interested in meeting people and taking part in community activities.

Improving physical and mental wellbeing is at the heart of the project. Regular activity can help people stay healthier, while community sports facilities can also provide opportunities to socialise, build confidence and reduce isolation.

The Hub will support grassroots football clubs and a growing programme of activities for women and girls, as well as recreational sessions aimed at encouraging people who may not normally take part in organised sport.

Speaking at the official opening, Councillor Kelvin Williams, Wealden District Council’s lead councillor for Public Health and Asset Management, said the Hub had been shaped by feedback from residents, clubs and local groups.

“The Hub reflects what residents, clubs and local groups told us they wanted,” he said. “By bringing high-quality, accessible facilities together in one place, we are creating more opportunities for people of all ages and abilities to be active, connect with others and enjoy sport.”

He also highlighted environmental features at the site, including new tree planting and solar panels in the car park.

Mark Coulson, chief executive of Leisure United, which manages the Hub, said the aim was to make it “welcoming, accessible, well used and rooted in the community”.

Robert Sullivan, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said good-quality sports facilities could have a significant impact on both physical and mental health, as well as helping to bring communities together.

Guests at the opening were given a tour of the sporting, leisure and community areas and met some of the people involved in bringing the project to life.

The Hub is operated by Leisure United, the charitable subsidiary of the National Football Trust, which manages multi-sport community hubs across England.

With the facility now fully open, the hope is that it will become an important resource for people across the Heathfield area and wider Wealden district – whether they are playing competitive sport, trying something new, getting fitter or simply looking for a way to become more involved in their local community.

Further information about the Hub, including facilities, availability and registration, is available through Wealden District Council.