Expansion plans for Oldham Athletic’s Boundary Park as part of multi-million pound investment

A multi-million pound project has been announced for Oldham, with an expansion of Oldham Athletic‘s Boundary Park football stadium, a sports and health campus, and a host of training programs.

Oldham council has announced it’s taking its first steps towards building a £70 million sports project in the borough.

A £5 million investment has been unveiled to kickstart the ambitious project.

SportsTown also aims to support local health and well-being by providing essential services and additional facilities on-site.

The cash boost comes from the Government’s Community Regeneration Fund and builds on £1 million previously invested by Oldham Council, which funded a new playing surface at Boundary Park, securing a permanent home for Oldham RLFC and opening up facilities to the wider community.

Darren Royle, Chief Executive at Oldham Athletic said: “£6 million has been put in so far, a million has gone into a new stitched pitch which is what United and City and that’s allowed rugby to come back and play their games here and give them a new home.

“The next £5 million will go towards generating and creating a top floor in the Joe Royle stand where there will be a university centre and then there’s all the sports facilities outside.”

Councillor Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “SportsTown is another example of the power of collaboration and our shared ambitions to create opportunities for our residents.”

Frank Rothwell, owner of Boundary Park and Chairman of Oldham Athletic AFC, said:“Oldham has always punched above its weight in sport, and we’re not stopping now!

“This funding going to set things in motion for something truly game-changing.”

Mike Ford, Managing Director of Oldham RLFC, spoke at the official launch and said: “We are trying to give every kid an opportunity whether it be in sport or education and the facility here is second to none in terms of what you can do, in sport education or in the medical world.

“It’s going to be fantastic and there are four sports we are targeting, football, rugby, cricket and netball”