Representatives from Mole Valley District Council, Surrey FA, Dorking Wanderers and Churchill Catering gathered pitch-side in glorious conditions on the morning of Friday 6 July 2018 to mark the official opening of the community football facilities at Meadowbank, in the heart of Dorking.
With the café, soft play and Surrey FA’s facilities having been operational since May, and ahead of Dorking Wanderers’ first match of the 2018/19 season at their new home in July, the official opening was the culmination of significant financial investment by Mole Valley District Council to deliver a fantastic addition to Meadowbank Park. The facilities have been handed over to on-site partners to take forward and go from strength to strength, for the benefit and enjoyment of residents and visitors.
Councillor Charles Yarwood, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Strategy & Assets, said: “Meadowbank Park truly is now a destination for decades to come. We are extremely proud to have been able to deliver these unique facilities, which will be enjoyed by the local community and visitors to the district. We are confident this new addition will have wide-reaching economic and health benefits for residents and visitors of all ages. I hope to see these facilities have a ripple effect through the town, proving beneficial for the surrounding local businesses, shops and restaurants.”
Caroline McRoyall, Surrey FA’s Chief Executive, said: “We are hugely proud to be managing these state-of-the art facilities in the heart of Dorking. We hope Meadowbank can bring the local residents and visitors to Dorking to enjoy events of all types, whilst we provide a strong foundation for grassroots football to thrive. We are excited for the community.”
Marc White, Chairman of Dorking Wanderers, said: “This is a real community venue at the heart of Dorking and a credit to the efforts of all the volunteers in Dorking football, Mole Valley District Council and Surrey FA, who have had the vision and determination to make it happen. Dorking Wanderers is proud to be able to call it our new home, and we look forward to welcoming everyone to the lounge at Meadowbank – not just for matches but throughout the week as a sporting venue, a local destination and a new place to meet and relax for people in and around Dorking. Together we can create something very special for this town.”
Adam Brough, Operations Manager of the café and soft play run by Churchill Catering, said: “We are delighted to operate the soft play, cafés and kiosk at Meadowbank in partnership with Mole Valley District Council. It has been amazing over the last couple of years to see the transformation from a green field to a fabulous soft play centre with great café facilities. From opening in May the soft play centre has proved very popular and we have had great feedback.”
