Councillor sets out ambitions to improve sports facilities in Market Drayton and build clubhouse at Greenfields

Shropshire Council's deputy leader, Ian Nellins shared his hopes of building a new multi-purpose clubhouse, with changing facilities, and an artificial sports pitch at Greenfields. There are also ambitions to work with the Grove School and see an all-weather artificial pitch installed on its grounds.

A group called Active Market Drayton has been set up with a vision to improve facilities in the north Shropshire town. Mr Nellins represents Shropshire Council in the group while Tim Manton represents the town council, Grant Robertson represents Market Drayton Sports Association, Rachel Fowler represents Strategic Leisure, and other organisations including the Grove School are represented in the group.

Mr Nellins said there had previously been discussions surrounding relocating sports facilities from the Greenfields site, however, the goal is to now improve facilities and work closely with the school.

The councillor said the Greenfields site is "overused" and that the Grove School has been "very forward thinking" with ambitions to share facilities. He added that a "sweetener" would be to have an all-weather hockey pitch installed at the school.

Mr Nellins said: "Over the past year we have formed Active Market Drayton. This group is chaired by me and includes representatives from Shropshire Council, Market Drayton Town Council, Strategic Leisure, Market Drayton Sports Association, Market Drayton Community Sports Association, the Grove School and Energise. We hope to add other interested parties to the group (such as health) in the near future.

"I would like to thank all of those involved for their support and enthusiasm.