New artificial pitches ready for kick-off at Active Medlock

The synthetic turf pitches at Active Medlock in Droylsden have been resurfaced and are now ready for action.

Tameside Council has spent £120,000 in creating a state-of-the-art surface in what it describes as part of an investment in sports and leisure facilities across the borough.

Explaining the decision, the authority said the old pitches were 19 years old and had reached the end of their useful life so they needed to be resurfaced for use beyond winter.  

It added that, without action, the pitches would have become unsafe and had to close, while repairs would have meant repeated closures and only delayed replacement by around a year.

The new modern, durable pitches will ensure a safe, high quality and high impact sports and leisure provision, the council says. 

The pitches support 550 visits a week so users would otherwise have missed out on regular physical activity, as well as creating a loss of income to the operator.

Funding came from the Council’s Capital Programme, money set aside for such needs.

It follows the development of Tameside Wellness Centre in Denton, scheduled to open in early spring 2020, which includes a competition swimming pool and ten-pin bowling alley, and the re-opening of Hyde Leisure Pool yesterday (Monday) following a refurbishment. 

The council say the investments will help achieve the priority of reducing physical inactivity and giving residents more opportunities to get fitter and healthier.

Cllr Allison Gwynne, Tameside Council’s Executive Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “I’m delighted that the resurfacing at Active Medlock is complete and the new synthetic pitches are ready for use.  These state-of-the-art pitches will provide users with many years of fun and healthy activities.

“It’s just one of a number of investments we’re making across Tameside to ensure our residents are provided with first-class leisure and wellbeing facilities.”

Active Medlock is one of nine sport and leisure facilities managed by Active Tameside on behalf of the Council.