PLANS to upgrade Frome Town FC stadium have been pushed back until the end of the year due to a delay in securing relevant funding.

The club, which plays at The Badgers Hill stadium, submitted plans earlier this year to replace and upgrade the changing rooms and first aid facilities, as well as renovating the clubhouse.

However, despite the plans being expected to be determined at the end of September, the upgrades will not be able to take place until December due to delays in securing funding from the community ownership fund and the Football Foundation.

The existing changing rooms are said to be dilapidated and of poor construction, and the new plans would demolish these facilities and replace them with a new purpose built changing facility.

Existing home changing rooms Picture: PAAD Architects

Badgers Hill itself was secured as a community asset by Frome Town Council in 2022, who have since launched the Frome Town Community Benefit Society which works closely with Frome Town Council and the club to explore how the use of the ground could be developed.

Ahead of a meeting of the council last night, August 7, a report by the economic development and regeneration manager at the council, Peter Wheelhouse, stated that in response to the delays it has been necessary to revise the upgrade plans so the club could make use of the existing changing room facilities ahead of the forthcoming season.

The report reads: “The target date for completing the repair and improvement project has now moved to the end of December 2024.

“In response to these delays, it has been necessary to revise plans for the replacement of the changing rooms and first aid facilities to enable the football club to make use of the existing changing rooms during the early part of the forthcoming 2024/25 football season.

“Following consultation with the club and the Frome Town Council Project Team, the Frome Town Community Benefit Society have decided that the new facilities will be located alongside the clubhouse.

“Other options were considered including a site close to the main vehicular entrance. But the selected option is considered to be most cost effective as it has the smallest footprint and will tie in with repairs to the clubhouse.

“There is a saving on demolition and enabling works. The new changing room/first aid block will also enable easy access to the clubhouse by players and officials and improve the appearance of the clubhouse as it will see the removal of the old turnstiles and Elliott building in this location.”

Frome Town Council’s planning committee will consider the changing room plans at a meeting tonight, August 8.