Blackburn Rovers Community Trust has unveiled plans to create a vibrant new community and sports centre with modern facilities for all ages at Ewood Park.

Plans have been drawn up for the redevelopment and extension of the existing Blackburn Rovers Indoor Centre (BRIC) at the ground by architect, design and project management practice Frank Whittle Partnership (FWP),

The plans include a new floodlit artificial grass football pitch as well as a community hall and sport education suite.

The front of the existing building, next to the football ground, will be demolished and the rest, which is home to three indoor football pitches, will be refurbished.

The new community centre will also be surrounded by landscaping and green space, enhancing the image of the local area.

The project has now received planning permission from Blackburn with Darwen councillors.

It also includes new changing rooms, offices for BRIC and an entrance lobby and waiting area, as well as remodelled parking arrangements.

Gary Robinson, CEO of Blackburn Rovers Community Trust, said: “Our aim is to replace the existing buildings with a modern and inviting centre that offers top sports facilities for people living in the local area.

“The new centre will also act as a much-needed focal point for the community and have a real positive impact on the area.

“We are very much a community club and this project shows our commitment to remaining at the heart of the area, not just on match days.”

Seb Salisbury, architect at FWP, said: “The existing BRIC building is made of up two sections from different dates, including a former warehouse, which although functional has little architectural merit.

“We are looking to replace and repurpose to deliver a building that reflects both the intentions and ambitions of the club’s very active community trust.

“Our very contemporary design has been partly influenced by the half and half blue and white kit historically worn by Blackburn Rovers’ players.

“The form of the building is an abstract representation of this with blue and grey brick on one lower half of the structure and white cladding and glass on the other half.

“A key element of the redevelopment proposals is the construction of a new, state-of-the-art outdoor artificial grass pitch. It will be used for football and other sports such as touch rugby.

“The designs we are proposing would not only provide striking, modern new facilities for the BRIC, but also give local people of all ages a vibrant new community centre to be proud of.”