Young footballers have received the ultimate Christmas gift following the handover of a revamped community sports facility.
North Tyneside Council has almost completed a £500,000 project to refurbish the Burradon Community Recreation Ground, providing modern facilities and new opportunities for local clubs and residents.
The project has seen the creation of a new mini soccer artificial grass pitch, suitable for year-round football. The pitch will be managed and operated by Burradon Juniors Football Club and available for community use.
Recent wet weather has meant that work to install a new drainage system beneath the grass pitches will be completed in the spring.
On the same site, a new irrigation system has been installed at the bowling green to ensure a high-performance surface, and football changing rooms have been revamped to allow easier access for clubs using the facilities.
Councillor Sarah Day, Cabinet Member for Culture, Sport and Leisure at North Tyneside Council, said: “This exciting project is an important part of the council’s commitment to maintain and improve our sports and leisure facilities across the borough and support residents to lead healthy and active lifestyles.
“The facilities have been vastly improved, and the all-weather pitch will mean fewer matches are cancelled in future when the weather is bad. The pitch will provide a first-class playing surface for Burradon Juniors and members of the community to play on, in addition to improved changing facilities and an upgrade for the bowling green as well.
“There are some finishing touches still to be completed, but I would like to thank our local clubs, residents, and our team in leisure services for helping to deliver a first-class facility for both the village and for people right across the borough to use.”
Paul Bunyan, Club Chairman of Burradon Juniors Football Club, said: “All of us at the club are absolutely blown away by the new development. It always looked amazing at the planning stage, but to actually get on it and walk around is something else.
“Our football club has been built on 21 years of hard work and dedication by volunteers, and to have this facility is a fantastic landmark in our club’s journey. Thank you to the ward councillors and officers at North Tyneside Council who have been so supportive throughout this entire project. This will have a lasting impact on our village community."
