Neighbours living in a Mansfield estate can now benefit from a new 4G football pitch that has recently been installed at a leisure centre. Residents in Oak Tree will be able to access the pitch which is already taking bookings.
Prior to the installation, the area was a low-usage concrete pitch, which had not been upgraded for over ten years. The old surface was ripped up over the summer last year, and work began to transform the outdoor space.
The pitch is now open to the public and is already taking bookings for football sessions, most recently Mansfield Town Football Club. This project has been funded as part of the new leisure management contract between Mansfield District Council, More Leisure Community Trust and Serco Leisure.
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The mayor, portfolio holder for environment and leisure Andy Burgin, head of service David Evans, and Serco representatives officially opened the pitch. Elected Mayor Andy Abrahams described the new facility as a huge asset to the community.
He said: “I am so pleased to see this area has been completely transformed and in its place a brand new shiny facility that I’m sure will be used and enjoyed by many of our residents from Oak Tree and beyond. It's now a 4G standard pitch, one of the best surfaces for people playing five-a-side football.
"As a participant in playing football all my life, I am especially excited about the opportunity for young girls, boys and older players like me to have a facility on their doorstep to either hone their skills or stay active. We are all aware of the benefits of exercise both physically and mentally so we want to encourage as much participation as possible.
“Previously, the concrete area here was in need of some TLC and the continuing deterioration meant there was no nearby facility of the high-quality required for residents, young people or football teams to enjoy. We are doing all we can to promote active and healthy lifestyles, so we’re thrilled our partners Serco have provided this new facility, and I look forward to seeing it being put to good use.”
The new 4G pitch is situated behind the Oak Tree Leisure Centre and has had newly installed floodlighting and upgraded goals to make it a standard five-a-side size. A 4G pitch is defined as artificial grass, like 3G, but without rubber crumbing. The area has been designed to provide maximum comfort underfoot and deliver exceptional ball bounce, roll, and control.
Jack Garner, contract manager for More Leisure, said: “The addition of the new 4G pitch shows our and the council's commitment to make the leisure facilities in Mansfield industry-leading. We anticipate it will be used by many different groups in the community from toddlers through to walking football for the older population.
"As both More Leisure and Serco Leisure operate centres catering for elite sports in the UK, we've been able to draw on that expertise to deliver a superb playing surface, which can be enjoyed at grass-roots level of the sport." A number of free football sessions run by Mansfield Town Football Club will start in January for 10 to 13-year-olds every Monday at the facility.
There are also ongoing plans to work with residents and organisations including the police, youth service and Oak Tree Primary School to plan further activities for all age groups on the Oak Tree Lane estate, which could include use of the 4G pitch. Pitch hire is available from 8am to 10pm Monday to Friday, and 9am to 3pm on weekends. The price of the pitch is £41 per hour.
The pitch can be booked casually or as a block-booking to guarantee the same day and time each week. You can book via reception or email leisure.OakTree@serco.com
A brand-new leisure centre five-a-side league will also launch on January 9 and welcomes male, mixed and female-only teams. All participants must be aged 18 or over.
The kick-off times will be staggered at 7pm, 7.30pm, 8pm and 8.30pm. For more information and to enter the league, call 0345 0000 231.
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