The Southlands Community and Sports Hub project in Park End, Middlesbrough has received a major boost with a £100,000 grant from the Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund.
The new hub, which is being constructed on the site of the former Southlands Centre, is a partnership project led by Middlesbrough Council and the Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation.
To mark the investment, the project recently hosted its first official site visit, attended by several local dignitaries and special guests.
Attendees included football legend and broadcaster Chris Kamara, who grew up in the area, alongside Middlesbrough Mayor Chris Cooke and Middlesbrough MP Andy McDonald.
The Building Foundations Fund, established by Sky Bet and the English Football League (EFL), is designed to support grassroots community projects through investment in sports, education, and social initiatives across the country.
The development is scheduled to open in early summer 2026 and will be completed in two stages. The first phase includes the main hub building with community meeting rooms and a social space, as well as upgraded 3G and grass pitches for sports and recreation.
The second stage will add further facilities to complete the state-of-the-art complex. The grant will be instrumental in helping deliver these top-class amenities to a community with a deep passion for sport.
Kieran Forde, Sky Bet Head of Sponsorship, commented:
We’re incredibly proud to support the Southlands Community and Sports Hub through the Building Foundations Fund.
Chris Kamara, former professional footballer and broadcaster, commented:
Growing up in Park End, I know first-hand how much this community loves its sport and deserves top-class facilities.
