All-weather running track planned at Hednesford Park
Extra cash has been applied for for an all-weather running track at Hednesford Park. Cannock Chase District Council said that if the bid was successful, the cash would also be spent on other projects across the district.
Council leader George Adamson said that he could not yet reveal which funding body the authority had applied to – or the nature of the other schemes. However, he did say that work on the park's tennis courts is set to begin in the coming weeks, in the hope of having them ready for use by the summer.
Around £2.3 million is being spent on the revival of the much-loved green space in the town. "Hednesford Park is now coming on at pace," said Councillor Adamson.
"We should certainly be starting works this year, with work starting on the tennis courts in the next few weeks so we can get them ready for the summer so we can get the maximum use out of them.
"We're also looking to get some extra funding for more sports facilities," he added.
"Using this money, we're hoping to get a new all-weather running track for Hednesford Park.
"I can't confirm who it is that we're applying for funding from, or how much we're hoping to get yet, but I can say we're almost there, so fingers crossed.
"Hopefully, we'll know whether we've been successful in the bid by the end of the month.
"Because Hednesford Park is such a massive redevelopment, we don't yet know when the different works will take place, as they need to be phased. It's a job that will take a couple of years.
"With this extra funding, we're also hoping to improve the sports facilities at Hednesford Park, as well as everything else on there."
Whitehouse Brothers Butchers, Walsall Carpets, a new hairdressers and a new "pound shop" will all be coming to Hednesford as part of its multi-million pound redevelopment.
The Aquarius community facility and ballroom should also be opened by Easter, said Councillor Adamson.
This will include a dance hall and several rooms for meetings and community and recreational activities.
"This really is great news for Hednesford," added Councillor Adamson.
"The town's defying national economic problems, as the town centre and the park are being completely transformed."
Work at Hednesford Park includes the extension of the pavilion, featuring a community room, balcony and ground floor café and a new skate park.
Car parks will also be resurfaced, improvements made to children's play areas and a patio for outdoor events.
