13th July 2005.
Dartford Borough Council Press ReleaseCouncil
scores for Dartford's football fans
Jubilant football fans are celebrating the return of
Dartford FC to its home town after a thirteen year exile
tonight following a momentous decision to approve a new
football stadium in the town. Councillors approved the new
5,000 capacity stadium at a special meeting of the Council's
Development Control Board meeting.
The Princes Park Community Stadium, which also includes
facilities such as clubhouse, with function rooms and bar,
community pitch, public plaza and gardens, should be ready
in time for the start of the 2006/07 season.
The stadium will be one of the most ecologically sound ever
built, with timber cladding, its own water recycling
ecosystem and a grassed roof.
Councillor Jeremy Kite, Deputy Leader of the Council, has
worked closely with the project for over eighteen months and
is ecstatic that the stadium has been given the nod.
He said, “It seems appropriate to say I am over the moon.
When we set out to bring the Darts home we said we wanted a
first class facility that would be easily accessible,
well-served by public transport and of service to the local
community. I'm delighted to say that the new Princes Park
will meet these requirements and the stadium will be the
perfect place for entertainment, leisure, sports and
business.”
He added, “We had a very good turn out by Darts fans here
tonight and it just shows the commitment, passion and
support that the Club has. In just a year's time we'll have
a stadium that more than meets their dreams.”
Dartford FC bosses, who this week also celebrated being
awarded the FA's Charter Status, have promised that the club
will use the facilities to benefit Dartford's communities
and to raise the profile of sport in the borough.
Bill Archer, Chairman of Dartford Football Club, was at the
meeting and is thrilled by the decision. He said,
“This is amazing news for the Darts, not just because we are
back in Dartford but because we can make a huge contribution
to the local community. We can continue to increase our fan
base and use these state of the art facilities to help
develop sport within the area. We have been waiting to come
home for thirteen years and now we can, this is an historic
day for the Darts.”
|
|
All Press
enquiries related to Princes Park Stadium should be made to:
Tom Carney
Communications Manager
Dartford Borough Council
Home Gardens
Dartford
Kent DA1 1DR
Tel: 01322 343777
tom.carney@dartford.gov.uk
 Click
to return to Main News Menu
|
