Football and wellbeing hub planned for Middleton

Rochdale Council and Rochdale AFC have partnered together to make over Bowlee Playing Fields, improving the 27-acre site’s drainage issues and creating the infrastructure needed for community sport to thrive.

The project is currently undergoing public consultation, but features new and improved football pitches, club facilities, and a community sports pavilion.

Integral to the plans is a two-storey hub for Rochdale AFC. This 6,000 sq ft building will include changing facilities for the club, a gym, media area, offices, and recreation facilities. There will also be a changing and social space for the community and offices as well.

The hub includes a full-size 3G artificial grass pitch for the Rochdale AFC Community Trust, as well as a grass training area for the football club. An existing community grass football pitch will also be retained and upgraded as part of the proposals.

The community sports pavilion will be 7,200 sq ft and operated by Your Trust, a charity focussed on improving leisure and health provision in Rochdale. This portion of the project includes a 40-station health and fitness gym, changing rooms, and a community room with kitchen and social space.

New cricket nets will also be brought in and two full-size 3G artificial grass pitches created.

The proposals have been drawn up by Pozzoni, with Enabl leading the planning process. Abacus is the project manager, cost manager, and principal designer of the scheme. FMG is the consultant for sport and leisure. Re-form is leading on the landscape architecture.