The start of work to create a much-needed all-weather pitch in Worcester has been marked by a ceremonial sod-cutting event.
Worcester City Council marked the start of the project with the Mayor of Worcester, Cllr Louis Stephen, declaring the project officially underway.
The event – which took place next to Perdiswell Leisure Centre, where the pitch is being constructed – was also attended by Andy Hall, Site Manager, from sports construction contractor S & C Slatters, as well as David Morris, Freedom Leisure's General Manager at Perdiswell Leisure Centre.
Freedom Leisure is operates the leisure centre on behalf of Worcester City Council.
The project came about when research for the Council's Playing Pitch and Outdoor Sports Strategy identified a shortfall of artificial grass pitches in the city, with Perdiswell recognised as a priority location.
Lloyd Griffiths, Worcester City Council's Corporate Director of Operations, Homes and Communities, said: "This new facility will be of real benefit to a whole range of sporting teams in the city, including boys' and girls' football teams, adult teams and older age groups taking part in activities like walking football. Importantly, it will also prevent the need for local teams to travel outside the city to meet their training and match requirements, thus reducing both travel time and their carbon footprint."
The all-weather pitch – which is due for completion at the end of August – will be officially opened in early September.
The project is costing a total of £824,000; £624,000 of this is funded by The Football Foundation, with the difference made up by Worcester City Council.
Field Turf Tarkett, a global leader in synthetic turf for a range of outdoor sports, has been appointed as the supplier of the pitch surface.
A schedule of use for the new pitch has been agreed with local clubs, with casual bookings available during the daytime and at weekends. Anyone interested in hiring the pitch should contact Freedom Leisure, the Council's appointed leisure operator who will be managing the facility, at
The new facility at Perdiswell will join other Council-owned all-weather pitches at St John's Sports Centre, Nunnery Wood Sports Complex and King George V Community Hub.
