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Community Trust is launched

COLERAINE Football Club has launched the Showgrounds Regeneration Community Trust in a bid to raise funds to regenerate the pitch, grandstands and surrounding areas at The Showgrounds…

As part of these exciting new plans, the club’s aim is to install a 4G pitch, a 5,000 capacity stadium, as well as a community hub for local groups, sports clubs and primary schools.

The stadium improvements could take anything from three to seven years to complete but the club has indicated that it wishes to install a 4G surface for the start of next season.

Geotechnical works have already been carried out to determine the make-up and strength of the pitch and the various strata beneath, with the cost for a synthetic surface being in the region of £450,000 to £480,000 for a FIFA standard pitch.

If the club wishes to proceed with this plan, then a £100,000 deposit will need to be paid before January, with the pitch being ripped up after the final home game of the season.

The Regeneration update was hosted by General Manager Stevie McCann who once again reminded the crowd the need for improved facilities at The Showgrounds.

Stevie thanked those for attending, as well as members of the public and supporters who have shown a great willingness to get this project up and running.

He explained that the total cost for the whole project would be in the region of £6 million, but noted that the club have appointed experts in obtaining grants for such projects from DCAL, Council, Peace IV, etc.

REGENERATION COMMUNITY TRUST

The crowd was informed that the Showgrounds Regeneration Community Trust has been officially launched, which comprises of four directors and which will be responsible for driving the project forward and sourcing finances.

It is expected that two of the four directors will be current Board of Directors at the football club, but the day-to-day running of the club will be kept separate from the Trust.

Stevie reinforced the point that it is the Trust’s long-term aim to achieve charity status.

A bank account has already been set-up for fans and Supporters’ Clubs to contribute to, with this money being kept solely for regeneration purposes.

PATRONS OF THE TRUST

The club plans to raise initial funds by inviting supporters to become Patrons of the Trust.

There would be a maximum of 10 founding patrons, who all pay £10,000 each, which offers life-time membership at the club, access to Club 1927 lounge, name(s) on entrance to the club and preference to all club games and events.

This will help raise £100,000 and there has already been interested parties in becoming a founding patron.

To become a patron, there are other categories available:

  • Platinum – 10 patrons at £5,000
  • Gold – 125 patrons at £1,000
  • Silver – 125 patrons at £500
  • Bronze – 250 patrons at £250
  • Bannsider – 500 at £100

The total amount if these are all taken is £437,500.

FUNDRAISING

The general manager also revealed that a Fundraising Committee is to be set-up in the coming weeks.

This will lead from the Steering Group and will help drive other fundraising ideas and schemes.

He insists the club will work closely with Supporters’ Clubs to get them involved, but that it was important that everything is co-ordinated.

An A3 picture of the pitch with 500 red squares will be displayed in the Club Shop and Social Club.

For every £1,000 that is raised, one of those red squares will turn green to show progress on fundraising for the 4G pitch.

If any supporters would like to contribute to the Showgrounds Regeneration Community Trust, please contact Stevie McCann for more information (genmancfc1927@gmail.com).