A VILLAGE S new sports pavilion – built with the help of a £190,000 grant – has been completed and will officially open on Monday. Emneth s new pavilion has four changing rooms, two officials rooms, function area, kitchen and toilets all built to FA stan

A VILLAGE'S new sports pavilion - built with the help of a £190,000 grant - has been completed and will officially open on Monday.

Emneth's new pavilion has four changing rooms, two officials' rooms, function area, kitchen and toilets all built to FA standards.

The project cost £270,000 and was undertaken by Emneth Playing Field Committee. It was funded with the help of a £190,000 grant from sports charity, The Football Foundation.

Mick Precey, chairman of the playing field committee said: "The old pavilion was very dated and completely inadequate for the users' needs.

"The new pavilion will be an asset to the community and of enormous benefit to sports clubs and, in particular, will enable Hungate Rovers Youth FC to enhance its presence and successful development."

Initial plans for the pavilion, on the playing field in Hungate Road, were pencilled six years ago, with the final plans drawn up two years ago.

A further £50,000 for the project came from Emneth Parish Council, with the rest of the funds raised from playing field committee funds and the borough council.

Hungate Rovers Youth FC has 13 teams, ranging from under-7s to under-17 girls. They are set to further expand next season.

Stuart Kierman, treasurer of Emneth Playing Field Committee and secretary of Hungate Rovers, said: "The more teams we had the better facilities we needed. It became a necessity.

"Apart from being unsuitable for 13 teams, youth teams until about five years ago were boy-led. Through the advent of mini soccer and the advent of girls' soccer we now have four girls' teams - and probably a fifth next year.