Sports pitch upgrade 'for children's safety'

A sports pitch has had a £58,000 upgrade to keep young people "safe and active", a council has said.

The multi-use games area at the Kingswood Estate in Corby, Northamptonshire, was made possible after a grant from the Sport England's Place Partnership programme.

North Northamptonshire Council, which owns and manages the site that can be used for football, basketball and other activities, said it was due to attendances more than doubling in the past two years.

It replaces the former pitch that was laid 20 years ago and had "deteriorated significantly", it added.

The facility, behind Kingswood Neighbourhood Centre, would provide "young people with a safer, high-quality space to play and stay active", the authority said.

Due to cracks, potholes and damaged fencing, which raised safety concerns, its former use was limited.

"The new surface and full perimeter fencing improve the overall experience, helping to contain balls within the court and reduce previous safety concerns — especially during the darker winter months," the council added.

Through the Kingswood Urban Development Project it has also been used by Northampton Town FC Community Trust, KUD Football, basketball coaching, school holiday programmes and informal use by local children and young people.

Jackie Browne, strategic director from Northamptonshire Sport, said: "Kingswood is recognised as a 'left behind area' and has not seen upgrades to youth outdoor spaces for many years.

"Over the past two years, annual attendances at activities have more than doubled from 1,259 to 2,551."

The upgrade was "vital to sustaining this growth and, most importantly, to ensuring young people have a safe, positive environment in which to be active", she said.

Lisa Dodd-Mayne, executive director for place at Sport England, said: "The transformation shows what happens when local partners and communities come together around a shared ambition."

It was a joint collaboration between Northamptonshire Sport, North Northamptonshire Council, Kingswood Neighbourhood Centre, and Sport England.

Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.