This time last year, the Meriden Park site was a rundown area of Watford in need of investment and renovation.
Twelve months on, with the help of a £250,916 grant from the Premier League & The FA Facilities Fund, the area has had a new lease of life, with the construction of a 3G pitch and pavilion that will be used by the whole community.
Sports participation is set to increase by 49% at the site, which will also be used for activities such as bingo, dance and martial arts.
The state of the art Meriden Community Centre will be run by Watford FC Community Sports and Education Trust to run a variety of projects at the site.
"This isn't about a football centre, this is about a whole range of community activities," said Rob Smith, Director, Watford FC Community Sports and Education Trust. "We want it to be a vibrant community hub."
Watford first-team players Troy Deeney, Heurelho Gomes and Jerome Sinclair, as well as former manager Graham Taylor, joined in with the football sessions on the new pitch as the site was officially opened, filmed for Match of the Day's regular Premier League Community feature.
"A year ago this was just a possibility and now we can see clearly that they have done a great job," said Gomes.
Financed by the Premier League, The FA, and the Government, via Sport England and delivered by the Football Foundation, the Facilities Fund provides grants for building or refurbishing local facilities across the country.
