Leeds is excited to unveil two brand-new full-size grass football pitches at Whinmoor Grange, designed to meet Sport England standards and boost community health and fitness. This project is part of a larger initiative to enhance sports facilities across Leeds, ensuring that everyone has access to quality recreational amenities while replacing the existing Smeaton Approach pitches.
What new football facilities are being developed in Leeds?
Leeds is developing two new full-size grass football pitches at Whinmoor Grange, which will meet Sport England standards, include dedicated parking, and landscaping. These pitches are part of a larger initiative to enhance health and fitness facilities across the city, ensuring access to quality sports amenities for residents.
Building for the Future: Whinmoor Grange Football Pitches
The city of Leeds is witnessing the construction of two new full-size grass football pitches, marking the council’s ongoing dedication to fostering sports and leisure within the community. Located at Whinmoor Grange in east Leeds, these pitches are not only set to meet Sport England standards but also promise enhancements including dedicated parking and thoughtful landscaping. As these new pitches take form, they symbolize the city’s investment in the health and well-being of its residents. While they serve as replacements for the existing Smeaton Approach facilities, the new development is seen as a substantial upgrade.
The Smeaton Approach pitches have played a vital role in local sport, but their transformation into a community hub marks a shift towards a multifaceted approach to urban development. This change is a part of the larger East Leeds Extension housing growth programme and involves the planning of up to 925 homes. The aim is to address local housing needs while ensuring that the community does not experience a loss in sports amenities. The council’s proactive steps ensure that the Smeaton Approach pitches will remain available until the Whinmoor Grange site is fully operational.
Councillor Salma Arif, Leeds City Council’s executive member for adult social care, active lifestyles and culture, expressed her enthusiasm for the project. “The new football pitches at Whinmoor Grange will be an excellent example of the results being delivered by our approach and the difference we are making to our communities,” commented Councillor Arif. She also highlighted the importance of such facilities in encouraging healthy, active lifestyles across Leeds.
Phases of Progress: A Timeline of Development
The evolution of Whinmoor Grange’s football pitches is a carefully planned endeavour, unfolding in two distinct phases. The initial phase kicked off in July, focusing on the physical construction of the pitches. This groundwork is essential for setting the stage for future sports activities that will ignite local spirit and camaraderie. Following this, phase two is slated to commence in 2025, with the development of a 50-space car park and new walking and cycling infrastructure. When the seeds have matured, the much-anticipated inaugural matches are expected to commence in September of the following year.
Integral to the planning and execution of this project is the collaboration between NPS Leeds, who designed the scheme, and Cleveland Land Services, who are tasked with its delivery. This synergy ensures that the project aligns with the city’s standards and aspirations. The primary school included in the Smeaton Approach community hub plan will also contribute to local sports provision, featuring its own pitch for public use during off-school hours, thereby reinforcing the council’s commitment to community engagement and accessibility.
Leeds City Council’s executive member for children and families, Councillor Helen Hayden, voiced her support for the integration of educational facilities with community sports. “It’s really pleasing to see that a new primary school has been incorporated into the plans for the Smeaton Approach community hub,” Councillor Hayden remarked. The decision to make the school’s pitch publicly accessible outside school hours was highlighted as a particularly welcome move by the councillor, emphasizing the broader impact this project will have on fostering community ties.
A Broader Vision: Enhancing Leeds’ Health and Fitness Offer
The development at Whinmoor Grange is part of a larger vision for improving health and fitness facilities throughout Leeds. Other projects contributing to this initiative include the upcoming wellbeing hub set to replace Fearnville Leisure Centre in Gipton. This reflects an overarching strategy to rejuvenate the city’s leisure infrastructure to meet contemporary needs and expectations. Another pending project involves the construction of three artificial grass football pitches and multi-use games areas on the former Matthew Murray High School site in Holbeck, complete with a two-storey amenity building that will house changing rooms and a café.
Leeds has also recently seen a series of significant improvements at leisure centres in Armley, Morley, Wetherby, and Rothwell. These enhancements depict the council’s broad-scale efforts to upgrade existing recreational facilities, ensuring that Leeds residents have access to quality and up-to-date resources for their sporting activities. These developments underscore the city’s recognition of the crucial role that sports and fitness play in building strong, vibrant communities and in promoting the overall well-being of its citizens.
In summary, as Leeds forges ahead with its ambitious plans to bolster sports infrastructure, the city sets a precedent for others to follow. By investing in facilities that cater to both the young and old across various communities, Leeds is nurturing a future where active lifestyles are not just a possibility but a given. With no signs of slowing down, the city continues its stride towards creating an environment where every resident has the opportunity to engage in sports and experience the joy and camaraderie that come with it.
ENDS
- Leeds is constructing two new full-size grass football pitches at Whinmoor Grange to meet Sport England standards, enhancing community health and fitness.
- The new facilities will replace the existing Smeaton Approach pitches and include dedicated parking and landscaping improvements.
- The project is part of the East Leeds Extension housing growth programme, which aims to develop up to 925 homes while maintaining local sports amenities.
- A primary school will be integrated into the Smeaton Approach community hub, featuring a publicly accessible pitch for increased community engagement.
- Leeds City Council is committed to upgrading recreational facilities throughout the city, including plans for additional sports infrastructure and leisure centre improvements.