A NEW multi-use games area has been unveiled in Belgrave.
The facilities at Orchardson Avenue – close to the Peepul Centre – were previously in a poor condition. Now, they have been upgraded with new surfacing, fencing and goal ends. Floodlighting and access has been updated, and there is new paintwork marking out dedicated football and basketball courts.
To celebrate the newly-refurbished facilities, on Thursday 16th April staff and visitors at the Peepul Centre paid a visit to the multi-use games area (MUGA) and tried out the new court. Leicester City in the Community provided free, informal coaching, Leicester Riders shared some top tips for basketball skills, and the local policing team were on hand to meet the community and talk about their work.
The site has been transformed as part of a £2.1m citywide investment to create new and improved multi‑use games areas and ball courts across the city.
Assistant city mayor for sports and leisure, Cllr Vi Dempster, said: “Upgrading these well-used facilities is an important piece of work for us, and we’re gradually rolling out more and more refurbished sites, all of which are free and open access for communities to use.
“It’s important that we provide these open spaces as places where people can enjoy sports, learn new skills and socialise. This programme of improvement across the city demonstrates our ongoing commitment to investing in community facilities.”
Matt Bray from Leicester City in the Community said: “These renovated courts are used by Leicester City in the Community to deliver football sessions on the doorstep of local communities, who will benefit greatly.
“The new courts will provide high-quality venues for us to delivery community initiatives and engage with young people through sport.”
Alongside the refurbishment and upgrading of multi-use games areas, the council is installing new Playzones in communities across the city following a successful £1.8m bid to the Football Foundation’s national PlayZones programme.
PlayZones are safe, inclusive and accessible outdoor facilities that aim to bring communities together through recreational football and other sports. They can be booked for free using the ClubSpark online system, and will have timed floodlighting and secure gates, to help manage access.
To find out more about sports and leisure facilities in Leicester, visit https://www.leicester.gov.uk/culture-and-sport/sports-and-leisure
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