PlayZones powering up for summer opening

14 May 2026

Work is progressing to open new Football Foundation PlayZones in three West Suffolk towns this summer.

The multi-sport facilities in Haverhill, Mildenhall and Newmarket are being delivered after West Suffolk Council made a successful bid and invested £222,433, which unlocked a £667,297 grant from the Premier League, The FA and Government’s Football Foundation.

The activities at each PlayZone have been tailored to meet the needs and preferences of the local community. It follows extensive engagement with sports clubs, community partners and residents in 2024 around the sports activities people want to see in their town.

In Newmarket, a new PlayZone that can be used for basketball, netball and football has been built, replacing the old multi-use games area at Studlands Park. In Mildenhall, a new PlayZone catering primarily for football is being built on the site of the former town swimming pool. Both sites are waiting for finishing touches to the playing surface and the installation of electric connections, and they will then be made available for bookings. Haverhill will also see a new PlayZone opened, catering for football and basketball and replacing the old multi-use games area at Motts Field.

West Suffolk Council is aiming for a July completion on all three PlayZones ahead of the school holidays, although sites could be available sooner depending on how long the work takes to complete.

Once opened, clubs will be able to hire out these new facilities which will enable the PlayZones to be used for free for casual play by the wider community, including children and teenagers.

The booking system, similar to that already used at the tennis courts in the Abbey Gardens, will also enable people to see when the PlayZones are available, rather than turning up to find it already in use.

Cllr Ian Shipp, Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture at West Suffolk Council said: “It is great to have the support of the Football Foundation grant alongside our own investment to deliver these brilliant new sports facilities, and I look forward to seeing them open and in use this summer.”

“I’d like to thank everybody for their patience while we get the work done.”

“These PlayZones will further encourage sports activity and participation for people of all ages, benefitting their health and wellbeing and supporting our ambition for a thriving West Suffolk.”

Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “As with all PlayZones, the new facilities in Haverhill, Mildenhall and Newmarket have been shaped by the local community, who’ll be able to step out onto the pitch and get active in a way that suits them.”

“Thanks to the funding we receive from our partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government, the Foundation will be delivering over 200 PlayZones like this one across the country."

To find out more about the Football Foundation PlayZones programme, visit their website: https://footballfoundation.org.uk/playzones-programme
 

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