Construction of Middlesbrough’s new Southlands Community Centre is scheduled to be completed before the end of this year.
Documents released ahead of Middlesbrough Council’s meeting of full council, taking place on Wednesday January 15, present an update on the progress of the new Southlands Centre. Executive member for development Councillor Theo Furness’ report said: “Contractors will be appointed shortly and the construction phase is anticipated to run between January and November 2025.”
His report added: “At the executive meeting of November 13, 2024, the lease of the completed facility was agreed with Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation to bring high-level sports to the site and scope to expand provision in the future. The centre will be a real boost to East Middlesbrough and can serve as the focal point for sport and community initiatives for the local residents. Construction tenders were submitted on 18th November 2024.”
The previous Southlands Centre was demolished after closing in 2018. The first phase of the new development will see the construction of a new hub to be operated by the foundation.
The current 3G and grass football pitches will be upgraded and open space provided to support additional physical activities. A second phase of the scheme could see further extensions and improvements to the site. Mayor of Middlesbrough Chris Cooke has previously said he was delighted to see the project finally moving forward.
“I can’t wait to see spades in the ground at the new Southlands Centre – it’s going to be transformative for East Middlesbrough and a facility that the entire town will benefit from. The MFC Foundation is the perfect partner and I am looking forward to working with them on what is an exciting and ambitious project.”
The Southlands Centre, Middlesbrough
(Image: Evening Gazette)
The revamped Southlands will host football, other sports and physical activity with grassroots clubs and community organisations using the site. Inside the hub, community rooms, a classroom, a meeting room and a social area will host training workshops, employability courses, education, mentoring and social sessions.
It has been a long process to get to this point. In September 2024, following Middlesbrough Council planning committee approval, a Sport England objection meant that Angela Rayner, Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, had to give the sign off. At the time, Middlesbrough Independent Councillor Association (MICA) Councillor Brian Hubbard said: “After a very long and drawn-out episode of more than seven years since the dreadful decision was taken to needlessly demolish the much loved and well used Southlands Centre, planning has finally been approved”.
Sharon Lawrence, chairman of the Park End and Beckfields Community Forum, Cllr Mieka Smiles, Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston and Community Forum secretary Jim Martin at the site of the former Southlands Centre
(Image: Evening Gazette)
When Sport England’s appeal was rejected in October, MICA Councillor Graham Wilson of Brambles and Thorntree paid tribute to individual members of ‘The Southlands Project Representative Group’ for their hard work over several years. He mentioned the three councillors for Park End and Beckfield ward, Councillor Brian Hubbard, Councillor Mick Saunders and Councillor Stephen Hill.
He also wished to acknowledge the work of “the three members of the community council (public): Jim Martin, Sharon Lawrence, Ian McGuckin. We were involved in all discussions about the Southlands.”
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