Mims Davies MP Announces Major Funding of £250,000 for Haywards Heath Rugby Football Club
Community assets including pubs, music venues and sports clubs are being saved from closure thanks to a major £33.5million package announced by the Government.
On this historic day for the brilliant Haywards Heath Rugby Football Club, they are thrilled to have received a grant of £250,000 from the UK Government.
This grant is huge and the current HHRFC Clubhouse is beyond repair and no longer fit for purpose. This funding from the Government means the build of their building is now fully funded and their fantastic clubhouse will be opening in October.
Planning permission has been secured to build a modern, two storey sports club with a suitable car park operated under a 99 year lease. Over £1.9m has been raised independently by the Club over the last five years towards this £2.25m project, and now the funding gap has been filled.
The amazing new Clubhouse will be accessible to all and sustainable in terms of long-term commercial viability, as a source of sporting and social interaction for old and young alike, as well as being environmentally energy efficient.
This funding from the Government is a huge vote of confidence in Mid Sussex and Parliamentary Candidate for Mid Sussex, Kristy Adams, who has spent her life here attending Waldon Park school and being a local business owner is simply thrilled by the news and looking forward to touring HHRFC's new clubhouse.
This investment from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ Community Ownership Fund – the highest amount ever announced from the pot – will ensure these beloved establishments are protected, ensuring they will be around for generations to come. This funding will maintain more community spaces for people to enjoy, helping to bolster local economies as well as contributing to the government’s wider mission to grow the economy.
Nineteen sports facilities are being given a lifeline in this round, with £6.7million keeping football clubs and swimming pools afloat so that local people can continue to keep fit and healthy.
This is the third round of the Community Ownership Fund, bringing the total spending from the pot to more than £103 million with 333 projects rescued so far as part of the government’s ongoing mission to level up towns, villages and cities across the UK.
In total this latest announcement of funding also includes:
- 33 community centres receiving £12.7million, so that they can continue to serve their communities;
- 3 theatres receiving £1.5million so they can keep putting on exciting local events;
- 5 community shops receiving £1.38 million to protect our high streets;
- 19 sports facilities being given £6.7million so people have a place to play sport and exercise;
- 9 pubs being given almost £3million so they can keep their doors open.
The next round of the Community Ownership Fund, Round 4, is the final round. There will be two bidding windows in Round 4 to allocate remaining funding. The next bidding window, Round 4 Window 1, will open on 25th March 2024 and close on 10th April 2024.
Commenting on this latest news, Mims Davies MP, HHRFC Club President said:
"What a day!
The Levelling Up Fund bid has come through!
As the president of Haywards Heath Rugby Football Club, and their local MP, I am absolutely over the moon to announce they are receiving £250,000 of funding thanks to the UK Government.
Knowing how hard the HHRFC project team has worked over the years to raise money for the new Clubhouse, I am truly delighted that this news confirming significant support from DLUHC will ensure the new building is fully funded.
I very much look forward to enjoying the benefits of the new facility and I am so pleased to have been able to play a part in helping to make it happen as I know how much this means to the club and how this will greatly benefit the wider community and other key grass root sports all that’s been rightly recognised in their impressive bid and outcome
Over 80 community assets including pubs, iconic music venues and our amazing sports clubs have been saved from closure thanks to a major £33.5million package announced by the Government today.
Tracey, Phil and the team have worked tirelessly for our community and I am just so thrilled I was able to help them acquire this crucial funding for what will be a fabulous clubhouse, planned to be opening in October so watch this space.
A huge thank you to everyone who has donated and helped this fantastic club who do so much for the community.
Up The Heath!"
Jacob Young, Minister for Levelling Up, said:
"We know how much these vital community assets mean to people across the country. They are an important lifeline for people young and old, and they’re the beating heart of our towns, cities and villages.
That’s why we’re stepping in to protect them with a major rescue package, so we stop these great establishments closing or being lost forever and ensure that they continue to sit at the heart of our beloved communities."