Work has been completed on new 3G football turf pitches at Clacton Leisure Centre.
The 3G pitches are now open for use at the centre, allowing sports teams to kick off their training in all weathers.
As well as installing the new playing surface, the £750,000 project also saw new fencing and lighting put in, along with an equipment store.
The Premier League, the FA and Government’s Football Foundation provided £344,000 of funding towards the scheme, with Tendring District Council (TDC) – which runs Clacton Leisure Centre – providing the rest using money from Essex County Council through a deal for land to expand a nearby secondary school.
Mick Barry, TDC Cabinet Member for Leisure and Public Realm, said he hoped teams enjoyed using the new surface.
“This new facility has a fantastic feel to it, and as a walking football player myself I know how important a decent playing surface is,” Councillor Barry said.
“We have already had a lot of interest in the new 3G pitch, in particular from September when the football season starts up again, which is extremely positive.”
Robert Sullivan, Chief Executive of the Football Foundation, said: “The Football Foundation is working closely with our partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government – to transform the quality of grassroots facilities in England by delivering projects like this across the country.
“Good quality playing facilities have a transformative impact on physical and mental health, and play an important role in bringing people together and strengthening local communities.
“This grant award towards improving the 3G pitches at Clacton Leisure Centre is great news for the local community and will help give more people access to a great place to play.”
The new pitches replace an existing playing surface which had reached the end of its lifespan.
The new pitch cannot accommodate hockey, with TDC putting in place alternative provision at its Dovercourt Bay Lifestyles leisure centre for the sport.
