The Gainsborough Sports Centre in Ipswich has become the first £1m Football Foundation (FF) project to open.

The FF is an organisation dedicated to a tripartite cause – revitalising the grass roots of football, constructing modern football facilities and developing football as a vehicle for education in communities throughout the country.

The foundation is the nation’s largest sports charity with an annual spend of £53m. It initiated a two-phase grant scheme in 2000 and 2002 for the Gainsborough Centre with a total of £1m given towards its redevelopment.

In addition to the 10 existing senior pitches and two junior pitches, the Foundation money enabled Ipswich borough council to construct two new adult pitches, a new artificial pitch and a new pavilion, complete with both male and female changing rooms.

The new community facilities were opened by the president of the Football Foundation, Lord Pendry, on 17 October. Lord Pendry said: “This is an historic day, not only for the communities that will benefit from these outstanding new facilities but for the Foundation itself. I congratulate Ipswich borough council for securing this massive funding package and wish the project the very best of luck.” Details: www.footballfoundation.org.uk