Football mecca & new kids’ zone to open

A massive £4million-plus council boost to sport and leisure facilities across Erewash is poised to see the official opening of a new mecca for budding footie starlets – while the ribbon is also cut on a spectacular new adventure park for youngsters.

The colossal investment is thanks to a council mission to ensure government funding pours into the borough.

A new £450,000 all-weather 3G sports pitch has been built in Ilkeston at Rutland Sports Park. The facility will be officially opened after final touches are made to its accompanying multi-use games areas.

In Long Eaton a thrilling new £400,000 children’s play area has been constructed – after the council came up with two competing designs and asked residents to vote for their favourite.

Toddlers get their own section while a separate zone for juniors boasts bridges, slides and a nine metre-high twisting tube. Its official opening is on Tuesday 12th November – although excited youngsters are already being allowed to try out the attractions.

The West Park fun zone and the 3G pitch are on top of more than £3million that the council has secured for improvements to its pools and leisure centres in Long Eaton and Ilkeston.

Meanwhile work is underway on the new Pewit Coronation Meadows Local Nature Reserve, and in Kirk Hallam a new community hub will soon be opening at Windsor Crescent – thanks to the council clinching £30,000 in funding from what is known as the FCC Communities Foundation.

Councillor Josy Hare, who is Lead Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “The great news is that thanks to the council pursuing government funding and other sources of investment the borough is reaping huge benefits – while sparing council tax payers having to dig into their pockets. If there is money that can come Erewash’s way we are determined to see that residents do not miss out.”