The Directors of KTFC, working alongside the KTFC Community Trust, have announced their investment to secure Maplefields School Sports Hall for the Community. This facility will boast a state-of-the-art kitchen, sports hall, classroom/office space and exciting outdoor areas at the front and back of the building. The press release outlines the hard work that has been expended to get this point and the future benefit that this renovation will bring to the local community.
Press Release
After over 12 years of hard work and many highs and lows, the volunteers behind the Maplefields Community Centre on Britannia Road, Kettering are delighted to announce their partnership with Kettering Town FC to safeguard the future of this project.
A 17-year lease has been secured on the former Maplefields School sports hall building to allow it to be used for community benefit. The school site initially started as a community asset with the open-air school constructed circa 1917 and the long-awaited completion of this project will help to continue a community asset on part of the site. The site on Britannia Road is also a strong link to the history of the football club – with many supporters parking here and often singing and chanting on their way to matches at Rockingham Road.
We would like to thank everyone who has offered to help in numerous way to keep our dreams alive – especially the founding members who had a vision of a community hub for all residents including Bill Parker, Kevin Thurland, Lesley Thurland, Ash Davies and Colin Webb. Thank you also to all the volunteers that have helped the project in one way or another over the years, alongside everyone that attended the various fund raising events we held.
We would also like to thank the Directors of KTFC, who will be investing in the renovation of this building working alongside the KTFC Community Trust to get the building in a position that the whole community can be proud of. This facility will boast a state-of-the-art kitchen, sports hall, classroom/office space and exciting outdoor areas at the front and back of the building.
The building will now be refurbished for public use and further updates will be provided as this exciting venture progresses. We invite anyone that is able to volunteer their time including local tradespeople to please get in touch, alongside anyone that would like to hire or use this community space. Please contact us by emailing: maplefieldscc@gmail.com
George Akhtar, Chairman at Kettering Town FC said: “Our involvement with Kettering Town is based on being in the heart of the community and we are privileged to be able to work with both the Maplefields Community Centre Project and the KTFC Community Trust to save and grow this heritage community asset for future generations”.
Lesley Thurland, founder and director of the Maplefields Community Centre project said: “I’m absolutely delighted that we have found a lasting solution for this brilliant community space. After many years of hard work, I can’t wait to see the centre being enjoyed by residents young and old. Thank you to everyone that has helped to make this happen”.
The ambition is to have the community centre ready for opening to the public by the end of February 2025.
