Work starts on Riddings Road £150,000 games area to be completed by school holidays

Work has now started on a £150,000 project to install a multi-use games area in Deighton - after five years in the pipeline.

And it is hoped that the much needed equipment will be completed in time for the school summer holidays.

The existing basketball courts and games area has exceeded its use and has for a long time created an eyesore on the estate.

Now it is hoped the new project, led by the Leeds Groundwork Trust, will transform the space to be enjoyed for generations to come.

It will involve the creation of a modern multi-use games area with lines marked out for a variety of sports, landscaping around the facility, the creation of a picnic area in the adjacent play area, and the installation of further seating. A climbing wall will also be installed, with two archways linking the facility to the existing children’s play area.

The current kick-about area/basketball court will have rebound fencing to prevent balls going astray.

Funding is coming from various sources including SITA Trust who have awarded a grant of £58,700 and The Veolia Environmental Trust who have awarded £37,829. Both these grants have been awarded through the Landfill Communities Fund. Deighton and Brackenhall Initiative (DBI) have also awarded £47,874 towards the work.

The upgraded facilities were earmarked for Riddings Road estate by DBI in 2012. Leeds Groundwork Trust undertook a survey of local residents, particularly children and teenagers.

Plans for the work were developed as a response, and further community consultation in 2013 evidenced that local people supported the plans. All the project elements have been designed to be accessible to people with as wide a range of physical mobility as possible.

The Leeds Groundwork Trust’s Capital Programme Co-Ordinator, Jon Crossley says, “The new multi-use games area will encourage children and young people to enjoy sports in a safe and secure environment. We are delighted that work is now underway.”

The work is being carried out in partnership with Kirklees Council and Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing.