£250k approved for playing fields work
Football pitches and running track to be improved at town facility
MAJOR investment is to be made to one of the biggest sports fields in the Staffordshire Moorlands.
Two phases of a major work programme are being planned for Birchall Playing Fields in Leek.
Last week members of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council ruling cabinet approved £250,000 to complete phase one of the project.
Phase one involves improvements to the running track, a perimeter trail and outdoor fitness equipment, while phase two includes playing pitch and ancillary facilities improvements.
Speaking at the cabinet meeting, Councillor Mark Deaville, who has the responsibility for sports and leisure on the council, said: “After what we have been through in the last two years, it is important that we look after ourselves in both our physical and mental health.
“What better way to do this than taking part in activities in the Staffordshire Moorlands by getting out in the fresh air.
“Covid has not gone away, but sports clubs are getting back to normal.
“It is important that we enjoy leisure and activities. We want to encourage everyone, this project does this.
“The football pitches at Birchall are well used, we plan to improve them further. Birchall running track is in poor condition, the surface is badly in need of resurfacing. There will also be a new pathway created to the car park.
“We are looking at installing a new circular perimeter trail around the outside which will encourage people to jog or walk. There will be gym equipment located at positions around the track.”
Leader of the council, Councillor Sybil Ralphs, said: “The pathway will be brilliant, it will be good for people’s health. Wheelchair users will also be able to use it.
“We had a runner, Roy Fowler who was a gold medallist. He was a lovely man and I would like to ask if we could call it the Roy Fowler Running Track when the work is completed.”
Mr Deaville added: “We are blessed to have Birchall. The first stage is the running track, Roy Fowler was a world champion and a legend.”
A report to councillors by executive director, Mark Trillo, said: “The overall purpose of the site, the condition of current facilities and the greater role it could play in helping to deliver the objectives within the Council’s Physical Activity and Sport Strategy has been reviewed by officers, from which a new vision to create ‘Birchall Sports Village’ has been developed.
“The new vision includes developing a more diverse range of facilities at the site in addition to making improvements to the existing facilities which will help to encourage greater use throughout weekdays and at weekends, improve accessibility to the grassed areas and, by doing so, create more opportunities for people to be active.
“In developing the new vision, officers have used a range of evidence sources and strategic documents alongside conversations with strategic partners and potential funders. The council has been approached several times by residents to consider how greater use of the site can be encouraged and the new vision brings the feedback from each of these aspects into a clear plan.
“It is therefore proposed to initially undertake improvements to the Birchall site as phase one of the project. This will incorporate improvements to the running track and the addition of a new perimeter trail and outdoor fitness equipment.
“The running track is in poor condition and over the last 18 months, despite some additional maintenance, the track has substantial moss and grass coverage as well as some uneven areas. The inside and outer edges of the track have been lost, gradually eroding into the grass over a period of time, meaning that a programme of refurbishment together with an enhanced maintenance programme is required.”