Sports Pavilion reopens after £45,000 refurbishment

A recent article in the Advertiser and Times by Roz Waters reported that the Chris Walford Pavilion at Barnes Lanes Recreation Ground has reopened following a £45,000 refurbishment.

The sports pavilion in Milford on Sea is predominantly used by the Milford on Sea boys and girls youth football and our village cricket teams.

The upgrade has now taken the building and facilities up to FA standards.

The Football Foundation funded £25,000 of the cost, the local district councillors contributed £1,600, and Milford on Sea Parish Council funded the remaining project costs. An application to New Forest District Council’s Community Support Fund for £10,000 was unsuccessful.

To read the full article and details of the changes, please click here.

About The Chris Walford Pavilion

Chris Walford looked after the pitches and facilities at the Recreation Ground in Barnes Lane for over 33 years. 

In 2021 the sports pavilion and clubhouse, which Chris almost single-handedly built, was renamed to The Chris Walford Pavilion by the Parish Council to honour the longstanding groundskeeper.

The sports pitches are used by Milford Youth FC, and Milford on Sea adult & girls cricket teams.

In 2022 a major refurbishment project commenced to bring the building and facilities up to FA standards. The work was completed and the clubhouse reopened in April 2023.

Milford on Sea Football Club is set to mark its 25th anniversary in 2023.

Chris Walford Pavilion reopening April 2023
Picture by the Advertiser and Times