CHATTERIS Councillor Florence Newell was ‘ecstatic’ to be cutting the first sod of turf to mark the start of a �1.2 million contract to provide the town with an all weather pitch and pavilion.

The deputy mayor and district councillor has been involved in more than three years of negotiations to turn the project into reality. Monday’s ceremony was a tribute to her perseverance to see sports and leisure facilities brought to the town.

The full-size floodlit synthetic pitch and purpose built changing rooms will be on the Cromwell Community College site. A new access road and car parking is also included.

Cllr Newell said: “This has taken three and a half years but I will feel even better when we eventually get a swimming pool.

“I am sure the pitch will be very well supported and I am sure the teams will be very pleased.”

The project is due to be completed in July in readiness for the next football season. Chatteris Town Council has put �500,000 into the scheme and the Football Foundation has given a grant of �370,000.

Significant contributions to the project through funding and donation of land have also come from Cambridgeshire County Council, Fenland District Council, Cromwell Community College and local football clubs.

The new facilities will provide a combined educational and community facility and a football development plan has already been agreed with the county council.

The pitch and changing rooms is the first stage of the town council’s plan to see an improvement in leisure facilities in Chatteris. Negotiations are already under way for the second stage to provide a �1.1 million fitness suite, also for community use, in partnership with Fenland District Council and in conjunction with other building work at the college.