Construction begins for Vale Park Community Campus

Construction has officially commenced on the new Vale Park Community Campus, with Carrick Construction appointed as principal contractor to deliver the £2.3 million government funded investment in Burslem.

The project will transform underutilised land at Sproson Park into a high-quality, multi-sport community facility, designed to support increased participation, health and wellbeing. Carrick Construction will be responsible for the delivery of a range of sports and community infrastructure, including two youth football pitches, padel courts, a multi-use games area (MUGA) and a new walking trail, creating a versatile space for both organised sport and informal recreation for residents, schools and local community sports groups.

The project is being delivered in partnership with Carrick’s parent company STRI Group, Port Vale Football Club Foundation and Stoke-on-Trent City Council, and construction is now underway, with completion of the development expected spring/summer 2027.

Sustainability is a key focus throughout construction, with Carrick implementing a practical, resource-efficient approach to minimising environmental impact on site.  As part of ongoing works at Port Vale FC’s training ground, topsoil generated from pitch renovations will be repurposed and reused across the Vale Park Community Campus. This material will be utilised as a high-quality topsoil dressing for the recreational pitches being constructed by Carrick.

This approach significantly reduces the need for imported materials, while also minimising vehicle movements to and from site. In doing so, it lowers associated carbon emissions, reduces site traffic and limits disruption to the surrounding area. A further benefit is a decrease in the the number of personnel and logistics required on site, improving efficiency without compromising on quality.

Steven McInroy, Managing Director for Carrick Construction commented, “By reusing materials already available within the wider project, Carrick is ensuring that sustainable construction principles are embedded into the delivery of the scheme, not just its design.  It’s exciting to be part of a project which will help to strengthen community engagement, improve health outcomes and provide long-term social value.”.