Football clubs and players are celebrating the opening of four small sided 3G football pitches at Withdean Sports Complex.
The pitches, complete with floodlighting for year-round use, have been built on an area near the athletics track, formerly an overspill car park.
Funded with section 106 developer contributions, the new facility will help to meet strong demand across the city for all weather football pitches, identified in the 2019 Local Football Facility Plan.
Councillor Alan Robins, chair of the Culture, Heritage, Sport, Tourism and Economic Development Committee said: “It’s fantastic that the new all-weather pitches at Withdean have now opened, and great to hear that bookings are coming in thick and fast!
“This new facility will be game changer, not just for our local football clubs, but for schools and community groups in the surrounding area.”
Withdean Sports Complex is operated by Freedom Leisure, one of the UK’s leading not for profit leisure trusts. CEO Ivan Horsfall Turner commented: “We have been delighted to work in partnership with Brighton & Hove City Council to bring these fabulous 3G pitches to Withdean.
“We are committed to improving lives through leisure and we are sure that the additional facilities coming on stream at Withdean over the coming weeks and months will make a huge difference to the people of Brighton and Hove.”
Providing the new 3G pitches at Withdean is part of the council’s Sports Facilities Investment Plan, which sets out how sports facilities will be developed in the city over the next 10 years.
The plan will see Withdean Sports Complex become one of three major sport and leisure hubs within the city, with an exciting soft play area due to open in the next few weeks, and new padel courts following in early summer.
“It’s great to see Withdean developing as a major sporting hub, as proposed in our Sports Facilities Investment Plan, and enhancing our growing reputation as a major sporting city.” added Cllr Robins.
Find out more about Withdean Sports Complex and how you can book a pitch.
