Funding awarded to improve cricket facilities at Heathfield and Buxted Park in Wealden
Heathfield Park and Buxted Park Cricket Clubs receive a combined £28,000 to enhance their outdoor playing pitches and sports facilities.
The first successful applications for funding under the Wealden District Council’s new Sports Infrastructure Fund have been awarded to Heathfield Park Cricket Club and Buxted Park Cricket Club.
Heathfield Park Cricket Club has secured £16,000 from the council’s fund to replace its old practice nets at the cricket ground on School Hill in Heathfield. The current nets no longer meet Cricket Board standards, and without this financial support, the site’s quality would have continued to decline, limiting its use, particularly by junior and Sunday-friendly teams.
Meanwhile, Buxted Park Cricket Club has received £12,000 for the installation of hybrid cricket wickets at both Buxted Park and Maresfield Recreation Ground. Hybrid cricket wickets are a new technology designed to protect and improve existing playing surfaces.
The funding comes from the Sports Infrastructure Fund, launched in October 2024, which aims to invest up to £600,000 over the next three years to improve outdoor sports pitches and facilities across the district. The programme aligns with the Wealden Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sports Strategy, adopted in December 2023, which focuses on enhancing community sports provision.
Councillor Kelvin Williams, Portfolio Holder for Asset Management, said, “Sports are important within communities, they unite us and make communities grow closer and stronger, giving people a sense of belonging. Investing in sports within Wealden means that for years to come, residents will have access to high-quality sports and leisure facilities.”
He added, “By supporting sports facilities and clubs such as Heathfield and Buxted Park Cricket Clubs, we can ensure that our communities continue to thrive, grow, and stay connected.”