Even by the standards of the North-East, Stewart Dawson is passionate about the beautiful game. During the past ten years, that passion has led to the transformation of land just outside Durham.

The development will provide football facilities for the whole community - and perhaps produce the next David Beckham.

Mr Stewart bought the 23-acre site, formerly the civil service sports ground, next to Belmont Business Park, in 1993.

When he bought it he was already thinking of the future of Durham City Football Club, of which he is chairman.

Soon, the land will be changed beyond all recognition.

It already accomodates the Durham City football club stadium, car showroom and hotel, and will soon include the region's first indoor six-a-side football arena, Soccarena.

Mr Dawson said: "It was a bit of a gamble at the time. But when I saw the site, I was convinced the club would go for it, and luckily they did."

The club took five acres of the land for its ground and surrounding facilities, which was completed in 1997.

Having secured DCFC, Mr Dawson was convinced that a mix of leisure, manufacturing and office occupiers would be ideal for the area, close to the A1, and with good access to the city centre and the A690.

Planning permission took time, but once in place, Mr Dawson soon negotiated deals with Whitbread, which owns the Travel Inn hotels, and Mill Garages, who moved in.

With a hotel and car showroom in place, Mr Dawson was still looking for ways to increase the number of people using the site.

"I was convinced it needed a multi-player sports centre as the hub of the action," he said.

"It would be a huge boost for people living around the area, and would link in well with the existing leisure and recreation uses of the site."

He travelled the country to look at other indoor sports centres.

As a result of that research, he decided a six-a-side indoor football arena had the most potential for success, and Soccarena was created.

He said: "This region eats, sleeps and breathes football. When I travelled up and down the UK, I only came across three major indoor football arenas - and they were all full for most of the time.

"The concept of having an indoor six-a-side arena for anyone to enjoy kicking a ball around is fantastic for the North-East.

"I was determined to create the best quality arena for local people to have fun, play leagues, train professionally or simply relax, and to do it in Durham - superbly placed for Sunderland, Newcastle and Middlesbrough."

He has looked all over Europe to find the best quality synthetic surface for the pitches.

The design of the building incorporates a caf and bar, conference rooms, dressing rooms and showers, and is scheduled for completion in September.

Mick McCarthy, Sunderland Football Club manager, was there when work began in April.

Contractors, designers, consultants and suppliers are all local businesses.

The main contractor is Rubb Buildings Limited, of Team Valley, with infrastructure works being carried out by Groundwork Services of Durham.

Mr Dawson is eager for the doors to open, and to see local people playing and enjoying football all-year-round.

Saturday clubs, after-school games and school outings are all on the agenda.

"Seeing through the sale and use of each plot of land at Belmont has been exciting for me, but Soccarena is in a different league - it is real passion.

"It is also a genuine first - for Durham and the region, and will make a huge difference to people of all abilities and all ages who enjoy the game."