The Weston Homes Community Stadium has landed two awards at a prestigious ceremony last week.

The stadium, completed in July of last year, was named as the Project of the Year as well as being  the winner in the category "Community Benefit" at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) East of England Awards 2009.

Councillor Anne Turrell, Leader of Colchester Borough Council, said: "We are delighted to have won these awards.

"It is a fantastic recognition for the hard work of all the stakeholders that have been involved in making the Weston Homes Community Stadium a reality.

"Along with our partners, Colchester United Football Club and the Colchester United Community Sports Trust, we now have a wonderful community facility for the people of Colchester."

Opened in August 2008, the Weston Homes Community Stadium offers a diverse range of sporting, recreational, social and economic and regeneration activities, including:-

- Two high quality 5-a-side football pitches

- The EdUc@eUtd Study Support Centre offering unique local and national training and development programmes to schools, families and adult learners with the latest Apple computers

- A prominent venue for a professional football club

- A quality conference and event venue

- A stunning wedding venue

- A diverse programme of community events including dinner dances and comedy nights

- Up to 24 guaranteed community events catered 'at cost price'

- 100 disabled spaces, positioned in all 4 stands at elevated positions with lift access

- Catering facilities, toilets (including 25% female toilet provision), legroom, seat width and sight lines that are amongst the best in the Football League

- 24 corporate hospitality boxes available for hire

Mike Springett, Chair of the Colchester United Community Sports Trust, said: "The Colchester United Community Sports Trust is thrilled to be a key part in this project.

"Chosen from the outset to be the lead agency on community engagement, it has been a privilege to help bring a beating heart to a building that has the community at its core and will improve the lives of many individuals for many years to come."

Plans are also being developed for further community facilities at the Weston Homes Community Stadium including the 'Imagine' Centre, an IT suite and training facility, social enterprise café, and a Children's Centre offering a 52 place nursery and a Wellness Centre with consulting rooms, physiotherapy facilities and a lecture theatre for community health programmes.

The 10,000 seater Weston Homes Community Stadium is also the new state of the art home of Colchester United Football Club.

Steve Bradshaw, Chief Executive of Colchester United Football Club, said: "A key factor in Colchester United becoming a sustainable Championship football club is the absolute commitment to being a true community partner.

"The stadium embodies a special partnership of local authority, charitable trust and football club, which will change the face of football and deliver a community commitment."

A community open day to celebrate the anniversary of the first year of the Weston Homes Community Stadium's opening will take place in the summer where people can find out more about what the Stadium has to offer.

More details will be announced soon.

Clive Gilham, Chief Executive, Colchester Community Stadium Ltd, said: "Working together, the commitment of Colchester Borough Council, Colchester United Football Club and the Colchester United Community Sports Trust has always been for the Weston Homes Community Stadium to offer a unique opportunity for community activities seven days a week as well as providing a new modern home for Colchester United Football Club.

"With the support and dedication of so many individuals, groups and organisations to make the Weston Homes Community Stadium a reality, we have a fantastic facility that is not only a venue for local people but will also help to put Colchester well and truly on the map locally, regionally and nationally."

Funding for the stadium project came from Colchester Borough Council including £10 million Prudential Borrowing, with further welcome support from EEDA (£1m) and the Department of Communities and Local Government (£1m) alongside a £2m Football Stadia Improvement Fund grant from the Football Foundation.

The 2009 regional winners will go on to compete in the grand final of the RICS international awards to be held in London in October 2009.