New multi-sports pitches to be built in city

Four new outdoor sports pitches will be built and five existing ball courts refurbished in Leicester.

Leicester City Council successfully bid for nine grants – totalling £1,858,066 – from the Football Foundation's national PlayZones Programme.

The council said PlayZones are "inclusive and accessible" outdoor facilities that aim to bring "communities together" through football and other sports.

City councillor Vi Dempster said the projects will help the council deliver "valuable improvements" to nine communities.

The locations for the four new PlayZones will be Elston Fields, Hamilton Park, Mowmacre and Sharmon Crescent.

Existing ball courts will be refurbished at Atlas Close, Armadale Drive, Cossington Recreation Ground, Eyres Monsell and Spinney Hill Park.

The Eyres Monsell PlayZone will be the first to be completed and is due to open to the public later this summer, the council said.

Dempster added: "Each of the areas have been selected due to a lack of high-quality sports facilities in the community, which can create a barrier to physical activity.

"The new PlayZones will help address that, offering safe and secure ball courts where the community can meet for recreational football and other activities, and enjoy a programme of events and training delivered by local sports clubs and other organisations."

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