Pavilion Development Update
April 2026
Investing in the Future of Our Club
Over the past year, the club has made significant progress in developing our new pavilion facilities. We recognise that members, parents, and the wider community have questions about the purpose, cost, and delivery of this project. This short update aims to provide clear, transparent answers and reaffirm why this investment is important for our players, both now and in the future.
Why are we investing in the pavilion?
The old facilities no longer met the needs of a growing club. Participation has increased substantially in recent years, and with that comes a responsibility to provide safe, inclusive, and appropriate infrastructure. In addition, our temporary planning permission on the site was due to expire, in 2025. To obtain permanent planning permission and avoid losing the facility completely, we were required to have a permanent structure in place.
The pavilion project is designed to:
- Replace ageing and inadequate facilities and securing a long term lease agreement and linked access to the 3G facility
- Provide a safe and welcoming environment for all players
- Support year-round use of the site, including a modern new kitchen area
- Ensure the club meets safeguarding, welfare, and league requirements
As the largest youth football club in the New Forest area, with plans to increase our offering into adult and disability football, having these facilities and an operational base is important to the long term future of the club.
This is not simply a building project; it is a long-term investment in the sustainability and quality of youth football in our community.
What will this offer my child?
The new pavilion will directly improve the experience of every player at the club. Key benefits include modern and safe changing facilities, more toilet facilities, a covered area for players and parents with a screen for match video analysis and coaching. In addition, we want our players to suggest how they would like to use the space and will provide an opportunity for them to tell us.
How much has it cost and where has the money come from?
The decision to develop around the existing infrastructure was one taken at a point when we had not secured any significant external income, and as such represented a pragmatic solution to allowing a staged delivery of a facility, potentially across many years! Fortunately, through our incredibly generous club sponsors, MIMO connect and Robertson ETOs, along with the amazing efforts of our team fundraising, plus other contributions from the likes of Tesco, Asda and Howdens Game Changer Programme, we were able to complete the major external phase one works (roof and cladding).
We subsequently bid for, and secured, a Community Infrastructure Levy grant from the council to secure the phase two delivery, which will see the completion of the internal works (electrics, plumbing, internal walls, kitchen fitting, toilets and changing rooms).
Phase 1 (2025) Costs:
Planning, design, building regs: £2,500
Site prep, additional storage, groundworks: £10,000
Structural frame, roofing steels (materials and installation): £20,000
Cladding and roofing (materials and installation): £30,000
Phase 1 (2025) Income:
Sponsors: £10,000
Club reserves (multi-year for purpose of pavilion): £30,000
Fundraising (teams, corporate and other): £12,500
Kit savings: £10,000
Phase 2 (2026) costs:
First fix internals; plumbing, electrics, insulation, boarding, etc: £30,000
Second fix internals: Kitchen, toilets, changing rooms, etc: £25,000
Furniture and finishing; electrical items, changing etc: £12,000
Groundworks around pavilion: £20,000
Phase 2 (2026) Income:
CIL fund grant: £82,000
Howdens kitchen grant: £5,000
The above incorporates a notable Community Contribution from Rob Watkins Builders who have led project coordination and delivery via a significant input of unpaid time and expertise. In addition, other trades like Alan Gray Plumbing & Heating and Pegasus Total Homecare, have contributed their time and expertise. These inputs were central to securing CIL funding through demonstration of community engagement.
What is next?
Works will continue apace, but are restricted to outside of school hours for safety. This means that the summer holiday period will be a key one for pushing hard to get as much completed as possible, with our aim being to get the pavilion open by the end of the year.
How can you help?
Our players are the club. We know how central parents and carers are to enabling all of the amazing football and related activity that goes on at H&DYFC. Look out for opportunities to help directly with the pavilion, but also with related club activities and events – our tournament relies on your help for example.
We really do appreciate your support and patience. We are always open to hearing your views.
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