A MAJOR development at a football facility in Hexham is set to transform the area into a sporting hub for the entire district.

Substantial investment is planned for Hexham Football Club and its impressive complex at Dukeshouse, in Fellside, with the volunteer-led club wanting to attract people playing all sports to use their soon-to-be-improved facilities.

To encompass the variety of activities to be played there, the club is even set to change its name to Hexham Sporting Club, as it is in the process of becoming a company limited by guarantee (CLG), with charitable status.

The Dukeshouse facility cost around £870,000 and was opened in 2011 by former Newcastle United and Sunderland midfielder Paul Bracewell. It is now in line for a major redevelopment.

Top of the priority list is the installation of a full size 4G playing surface, with the vision being to allow cricketers, rugby players and netball players to train there when football isn’t being played.

Current stipulations restricting the use of facilities at Dukeshouse to children will be lifted, meaning adults will be accommodated.

Ahead of the plans to bring an astro turf surface, work to resurface the junior and mini soccer pitches on site and bring them up to Premier League standard, as part of a national scheme, will begin in 10 days time.

Club chairman Doug Robson said: “Exciting times are definitely ahead at Hexham Football Club, and we’re looking forward to what the future will bring.

“We are going to try to accommodate whichever sport wants to use it, whether that be for cricket nets, rugby training, netball or whatever.

“We want to embrace all Tynedale with this project, so everybody will be welcome as we aim to make it a sporting hub.

“Discussions with investors, the FA and key stakeholders are ongoing to realise the long term ambitions for the football club and the wider community.

“Our vision is to create something we can be truly proud of, and put Hexham on the map.”

The plans come at an exciting time for Hexham FC after recently finding out it was to have the junior pitches redeveloped to a world class standard.

National firm Campey Turfcare is running a national campaign to renovate grassroots pitches, and 12 community clubs across the country are in line for the scheme.

Another North-East team was originally lined up for the project but, once it pulled out, Hexham was put in touch with the company.

The plan is to remove the current grass and break up the layer of clay which has caused waterlogging problems at Dukeshouse since its opening, with 300kg of grass seed and 60 tonnes of fine sand to be put in place.

A maintenance programme of watering and fertilisation will follow throughout the summer, with work set to be complete by August 1 to enable it to be used in time for next season.

Northumberland County Council’s assistance has been pivotal in the project. It will meet the financial costs associated with the development.

To ensure all the work will be worth the effort, Hexham FC will become a CLG to help with funding applications and to set it aside as more than just a community football club.

Mr Robson said: “A main reason for the club becoming a CLG is that we have grown from two to three teams, to up to 25 and they are all run by volunteers.

“If anything ever went wrong, such as a legal battle or whatever, we aren’t covered. But we will have some protection if we are a CLG. The status will also help us with funding and grant applications.”

In addition to all that is going on at the club, a community defibrillator will be installed at Dukeshouse in the coming weeks once a training course has been held.