Latest News from Dark Lane

Marl Pits Community Sports Village Gaining Momentum

Marl Pits Community Sports Village took a step closer to becoming a reality following a month of high level meetings with senior managers of some of sports major national governing bodies.

The Village contains plans for rugby, football, athletics, sports education, all weather training, new changing areas, health and fitness, hospitality and improvements to Marl Pits Swimming pool. The project will also involve the relocation of Rossendale United Football Club from their present location at Dark Lane. Ex England and Manchester United Captain Bryan Robson is leading private sector support of the project through his company Robson Lloyd, who are engaged in the development of a number of Sports Villages across the UK. Locally, Rossendale Leisure Trust has been working with clubs using the present facilities, along with Rossendale United Football Club and Rossendale Borough Council to progress the project.

During April representatives from the Football Association, Rugby Football Union and UK Athletics, amongst others, travelled to Rossendale, each expressing strong in-principle support to help progress the village to the next stage.

Peter Kay, National Facilities Manager for the FA, said, “The Football Association welcomes all projects that aim to improve the experience of grass roots footballers and the Marl Pits development is a great example of such a scheme. In addition to the benefits that the project will bring to the grass roots football community in Rossendale, it will also cater for a range of other sports and services too, reflecting wider needs in the local community. It is very much hoped that the Marl Pits project will offer a much needed boost to grass roots football and sport in general, ensuring that future generations in Rossendale are able to access high quality facilities and enjoy regular participation.”

Derek Egan the County Development Manager for the Lancashire FA stated that “facility development has been highlighted in our consultation process as a priority for our 4 year strategy. The lack of facilities in the Rossendale Valley are a concern for football and all sports as we move forward. Not only do we need to grow participation in sport, we need to sustain it and give all involved a better experience. Although The Mal Pits project is at an embryonic stage and has some way to go, it is a very exciting project and one which could prove to be an example of good practice for many other areas in Lancashire. This joined up approach will hopefully show that when sports come together clubs are more sustainable and give the community a solid base for generations of participants.”

The Rugby Football Union Funding and Facilities Manager for the North West Ted Mitchell said “that the Rugby Football Union welcomes all new initiatives that improve the quality of pitches and coaching across the country and Marl Pits is a good example of how collaborative working can help achieve this.”

Peter Sutcliffe of UK Athletics commented that the concept for a sports village at Rawtenstall is an excellent one. It would be a real boost to the community and the athletic facilities envisaged would be warmly welcomed by UK Athletics.

The project is also strongly supported by Lancashire Sports Partnership and Lancashire Economic Partnership, who have identified it as one of three flagship Sports Village developments across Lancashire.

Carolyn Wilkins Chief Executive of Rossendale Borough Council said “This exciting proposal has the potential to bring about a big improvement in sports and recreation facilities in Rossendale. Discussions with a wide range of partners are well underway and Rossendale Borough Council has been fully involved and supportive of this initiative from the beginning. We believe that it is an important opportunity for the future development of sports and recreational facilities in Rossendale and are pleased to have attracted the attention of such a big name in sport, Bryan Robson.”

Nick Ingham, Chairman of Rossendale Rugby Union Football Club said “this season has been a very exciting one for the Rugby Club, promotion for the 1st team indicates to all that our developmental programme is working well and we welcome the chance to improve the playing and training surfaces that this ambitious project would bring.”

John Holt, Chairman of the Rossendale Amateurs AFC adds, “Through its 5 teams and recently established links with Rossendale United Juniors, Rossendale Amateurs AFC aspire to develop participation in amateur football at Marl Pits and view the project to improve pitches, changing facilities, training areas and areas for community use as a great opportunity for the club and the Borough of Rossendale"

Steve Hobson, Chairman of Rossendale United commented that “'Rossendale United is excited about the prospect of joining together, with several other sports groups to create a complex of regional significance. A move from Dark Lane will not be easy but we recognise that it is in our best interests and that of sport in Valley.”

Steve Duxbury, Secretary of Rossendale Harriers, responded "Marl Pits has been the home of Rossendale Harriers & AC for all of its forty year history and we look forward with excitement to the possibilities that this proposed development might offer both the club and the Borough."

Gary Hood, Chief Executive of Rossendale Leisure Trust said. “The government has stated they intend to create over 100 sports villages across the UK in the lead up to the 2012 Olympics. This is a very short time scale but here in Rossendale we have an excellent project to take forward. The Valley has missed the boat too many times and we will do all we can to ensure we do not miss out this time. Our collective vision is to create a set of first class facilities housed on a single site. We do not want our young people to have to train on waterlogged pitches and tracks. We don’t want them to have to travel to Blackburn or Manchester for first class facilities, we want them here in Rossendale. We still have a long way to go but things are moving very quickly and positively. We intend to shape the plans further over the next few months and hold consultation events with wider stakeholder groups later in the summer.”