Elstree company McNicholas Construction is helping Boreham Wood Football Club to build a new all-weather football pitch and changing rooms.

The firm, based in Elstree Road, Elstree, will pay for architects to draw up plans for the pitch and changing rooms, and for a business plan to convince funding partners the facility will be a financial success.

Wood's chairman Danny Hunter was delighted to have secured the sponsorship deal, and said that if all went well, the new pitch would be available for schools and youth groups across Borehamwood in time for the start of next year's football season.

Mr Hunter hopes to have the business plan ready by November, to be submitted to the Football Foundation, which has indicated it may provide financial support for the project.

He called for other companies based in Borehamwood to provide sponsorship.

He was putting a great deal of his own money into the project, and said he would not be doing so unless he believed it would be worthwhile.

"I have already spent a considerable amount of my money to get to this stage, and it was a relief to find out that McNicholas was coming on board."

Under the planning permission granted earlier this year, the pitch will be made available to schools and community groups for at least half its opening hours.

Mr Hunter plans to talk to sports teachers at Hertswood School and Borehamwood's primary schools soon, to work out how the pitch could be put to best use.

Shaun McNicholas, a director at McNicholas, said: "We are delighted to support what is a very worthwhile cause, which is much-needed in the community.

"As a major employer in the area, many of our staff live and work in the community, and we have expertise in both building and designing sports pitches."

Mr Hunter is also looking at the idea of building a youth centre within the club's grounds at Meadow Park, if planning permission is granted and funding can be found.

October 1, 2002 17:00