SCHOOLCHILDREN in North Evington have been trying out a new multi-use games area down the road from their school.
On Tuesday (17 March), pupils and staff from Merrydale Infant School joined with Leicester Riders, Leicestershire Fire & Rescue Service and Leicester City Football Club to celebrate the refurbishment of the multi-use games area on Overton Road, following £193,000 of investment from the city council.
The multi-use games area – MUGA - has been upgraded with new surfacing, fencing, new goal ends, access points and updated floodlights.
It is a caged facility with open access to the public and will feature both football and basketball courts. Previously the site was in a poor condition, with dilapidated fencing.
Leicester City Football Club, the local Hastings Road east Leicester fire station crew and the Leicester Riders provided some fun activities for the schoolchildren to help officially launch the new space, offering free community activities, skills sessions and friendly, informal coaching.
Assistant city mayor for sports and leisure, Cllr Vi Dempster, said: “This is part of a major £2.1m citywide investment project to provide new or refurbished multi-use games areas and ball courts.
“We’re investing in these facilities because we know what a difference they can make to communities, particularly in areas of the city where open spaces may be more scarce.
“Multi-use games areas are a focal point for positive activities and an important space for socialising. They can be used in all weathers and for a variety of different sports and games. It’s great to see the space at Overton Road getting such a warm welcome from local schoolchildren.”
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.”
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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