New £800,000 community facility opens in Chorley

The ribbon has been cut on a new £800,000 sports and community hub in Chorley.

Chorley Council, working in partnership with Steve Wells Associates and Chorley Bowmen have delivered a new pavilion at the Wigan Lane facility encompassing a community space, toilets, kitchen, and storage.

Outside the field has been drained, levelled, and reseeded to create a flat area for both archery and football use.

The facilities were designed with green credentials in mind and include solar panels, high levels of insulation, a packaged sewage treatment plant to run the building and cell pave parking bays, car charging points and hedgerow planting to the landscaping. 

The unique pavilion which offers all weather facilities for archers to train long distance, whilst sheltered, has been named the “Saxon Pavilion” after the founder of Chorley Bowmen, Joe Saxon.

The new hub has been part-funded by Chorley Council, Chorley Bowmen and a £100,000 investment from Sport England. 

Coun Alistair Morwood, executive member for planning and development,  said: "As Chorley Bowmen take the lease at the Wigan Lane Sports and Community Hub, this will provide a space to encourage the growth of archery as it is one of the oldest sports in the world yet it remains one of the most universal and inclusive.

“Age, gender, and physical ability does not present a barrier to enjoying the sport and the membership with Chorley Bowmen reflects this."