McCann and fellow sponsors turn Chilwell Manor Golf Club’s vision into reality
A new practice area was unveiled at Chilwell Manor Golf Club on Monday 10th June after several local sponsors, including Nottingham-based civil and electrical engineering firm McCann, donated time and resources to help with the transformation.
The golf course, situated close to McCann’s Chilwell head office, has transformed a patch of land into a new practice area which is hoped, will encourage local children to get into the sport. Students from Sunnyside Spencer Academy will visit the new facility for a number of weeks as part of their curriculum and have the opportunity to practice a new skill.
McCann started work at the club several years ago but the project was halted due to a lack of funding. The club then successfully secured £15,000 worth of investment from Nottinghamshire County Council’s Local Improvement Scheme (LIS) under the proviso that the total was match-funded in volunteer labour, materials and equipment by local partners.
Several businesses put themselves forward including McCann, Frank Key, Acorn Windows and Brookair Danfab. McCann subsequently reclaimed the land, upgraded the drainage, constructed new footpaths and created a new hard standing as their contribution to the project.
McCann’s Contracts and Technical Director, Steve Adcock, was keen to support a club that is an integral part of the local community of Chilwell after hearing about the delays and limited resources. “We have been involved with the Club for some 20 years – carrying out various drainage works and installing new footpaths,”
“When I became aware that this recent project had hit a brick wall, I was eager for McCann to support the development and give a little back to the local community,” said Steve.
“Volunteers were using picks and shovels to try and move things along – but this is very demanding work to complete by hand and without the right tools. I met with the club to discuss what they needed and how we could help and we agreed to provide manpower and equipment from our nearby M1 Junction 23a-25 Smart Motorway Scheme. The end result looks fantastic and I hope the completed practice ground is a big hit – inspiring future generations to take up golf!”
The area was unveiled by Chairman of Nottinghamshire County Council, Cllr Kevin Rostance, as well as Cllr Eric Kerry of Broxtowe Borough Council, on Monday 10th June. Kevin is delighted to see local companies working together to transform the site and provide a valuable resource for the community.
“The work that has gone into the practice area is a testament to the great business community we have in Nottinghamshire and the levels of support open to companies through the County Council,” said Kevin.
He continues, “It’s always rewarding when projects like these come to fruition because it proves just what we can achieve when businesses and local authorities work in partnership.”
Speaking about the support received, the Chilwell Manor Club Captain Andrew Key said, “I must extend a big thank you to all of our partners for giving up their time and resources to turn our vision into a reality!”
“We’re excited by the opportunities this new practice area provides in getting young golfers enthused about the sport. The hope is that they either take up golf or, it simply encourages them to become more active in the future.”
Following the unveiling, the club hosted a golf festival on Tuesday 11th June with around seventy children attending to enjoy the new practice space.
