Oldham secures £5m for sports and health-led regen

Government funding of £5m will kickstart SportsTown, a development programme around Oldham Athletic’s Boundary Park that the club and council said could swell into a “transformative” £70m campus.

Centred around Boundary Park – bought after protracted negotiations by Latics owner Frank Rothwell, who took over the club in summer 2022 – SportsTown would encompass sports, health and educational facilities as well as providing “essential services and much-needed additional facilities”.

Further and higher education facilities could be included.

In terms of the physical space to go at, land currently used for surface parking behind the Rochdale Road End is mapped out in the only indicative image released thus far for sports use. Facilities at the ‘Little Wembley’ training pitch side of the main club car park are also included in the image.

Could Boundary Park become the epicentre of a sports and wellbeing campus? Credit: Oldham Council

The cash boost comes from the government’s Community Regeneration Fund and builds on £1m previously invested by Oldham Council, which funded a new playing surface at Boundary Park, on the basis that this would also secure a permanent home for the town’s rugby league club and open up facilities to the wider community.

Cllr Arooj Shah, Leader of Oldham Council, said: “SportsTown is another example of the power of collaboration and our shared ambitions to create opportunities for our residents.

“This exciting development will inspire Oldhamers to aim high and achieve their full potential. It creates real educational and career opportunities in sports, health and related fields for our residents while giving our local economy a welcome boost.

“This is just the start for SportsTown which builds on Oldham’s sporting history and shows how we will maximise every opportunity for the next generation, ensuring our communities can grow and lead healthier, happier lives.”

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Rothwell, chairman of a club that has been stabilised under his leadership and is currently placed in the National League playoff spots, said: “Oldham has always punched above its weight in sport, and we’re not stopping now.

“This funding going to set things in motion for something truly game-changing. We’re not here to mess about – we’re here to build a legacy, give young people real opportunities, and put Oldham on the map for sport, health, and education. This is just the beginning, and trust me, we’re going to make it happen.”

Latics chief executive Darren Royle added: “SportsTown provides an innovative response to the Oldham Economic Review Board and Oldham Economic and Skills Strategy findings. By harnessing the power of sport, health, wellness, business and education we are moving forwards by creating a unique Further and Higher Education opportunity for the young people of Greater Manchester and beyond.

“The four main sports pathways of football, rugby, netball and cricket will be followed by more opportunities for the Town of Oldham working in tandem with our strategic partners.”

Oldham Council said the initial investment will act as a springboard for further investment to realise the full SportsTown vision, with further announcements to be made in the coming weeks.