Notts County Foundation are delighted to announce that the renovation of the sports hall floor at the Portland Centre is now complete, thanks to grants from the Football Foundation and Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund.
After just over two weeks of dedicated work, the newly revamped sports hall is ready to welcome the community back, providing an even better space for sports and recreation.
The work, carried out by DYNAMIK Sports Flooring, involved cleaning, sanding, and polishing the original floor, significantly enhancing the overall appearance of the hall. These improvements not only make the space more visually appealing but also ensure a safer and more comfortable environment for all activities.
‘’The transformation of the sports hall has been remarkable, and it’s fantastic to see it already being enjoyed by our community groups. This space plays a vital role in many of our health and wellbeing programmes, and thanks to the funding support, we can now offer a higher-quality, more inspiring environment for everyone who walks through our doors.” – Josh Stevenson, Head of Programmes at Notts County Foundation
To celebrate the reopening, staff and participants gathered to witness the sports hall back in action. The first events to take place in the newly revamped space were sessions from Notts County Foundation’s CARE cancer rehabilitation programme and the On the Ball mental health project, aimed at supporting young males. Participants engaged in their usual routines, and the difference was immediately noticeable as they enjoyed the fresh, modern setting.
Attending the special sessions at Portland was Notts County FC’s Scott Robertson and Sam Austin, who spoke to various participants and staff members.
It was all made possible thanks to the support of the Sky Bet EFL Building Foundations Fund and the Football Foundation. The grant of over £47,000, of which one third was from the Football Foundation and two thirds from Sky Bet and EFL, allowed the Foundation to upgrade the sports hall as part of its ongoing efforts to maintain the Portland Centre as a key community asset.
The EFL Building Foundations Fund, which aims to improve the quality of life in communities through access to and improvement of football provisions and initiatives, has been instrumental in making these enhancements a reality.
The Portland Centre, on Muskham Street in the Meadows is the Foundation’s community hub, offering a wide variety of activities and projects for the local community.
This updated sports hall not only enhances the current programmes but also makes the Centre even more inviting for future visitors. Whether you’re taking part in a fitness class, participating in a community event, or enjoying one of the many sports activities, the new-look sports hall provides a welcoming space for everyone.
“We are incredibly grateful to Sky Bet and the EFL for their generous support through the Building Foundations Fund. This funding has enabled us to make significant improvements to the Portland Centre’s sports hall, enhancing the facilities available to our community.
The renovation will ensure that the Centre continues to be a hub for local activities and initiatives, supporting our mission to create a lasting impact in the lives of those we serve.” – Melissa Beardsmore, Community Leisure Manager at Notts County Foundation
The Portland Centre is home to a wide range of life-changing programmes, including the CARE cancer rehabilitation programme, which helps individuals regain their strength and confidence after treatment, and Nifty Fifties, a project aimed at promoting social connections and well-being for older adults. The improved sports hall will ensure that these and other vital projects continue to thrive and offer even more benefits to participants in the future.
‘’Walking into the hall after the renovation felt like a real boost. It’s brighter, the floor feels great to move on, and it just lifts your mood being in here. For people like me going through recovery, having a space that feels fresh and looked after makes a huge difference.” – CARE programme participant
Notts County Foundation would like to extend a heartfelt thanks to the Football Foundation, Sky Bet and the EFL for their funding, which has made this transformation possible. Their commitment to community-focused initiatives has had a lasting impact on the Portland Centre, helping to continue providing high-quality services to the local community.
For more information on Portland Centre and to see what programmes are available to you, visit HERE
