Work is due to start next week on delayed plans to transform dated sports facilities at Woodhall Playing Fields into a ‘Parklife’ community sports hub.
The plans were first submitted five years ago and have been developed by Leeds City Council in partnership with the Football Foundation as part of their national Parklife (Sports Hubs) programme.
Three new full-sized pitches with floodlighting will be created for football and rugby use, along with other play areas, biodiversity habitats, landscaping and parking.
The hub will also feature a new sports pavilion building providing a café and meeting space together with ancillary features such as toilets and changing rooms, including Changing Places toilet facilities.
Councillor Andrew Carter, (Cons, Calverley and Farsley ward) welcomed the progress on the site.
He said: “At last – some good news. Work on the Woodhall Sports Hub will commence on site, with the erection of site hoardings, next week. Local residents will be informed about the works via a local flyer.
“It has been an age since this all started, way back when I persuaded the then leader of council to purchase the playing field from Bradford University. That original proposal has now evolved into the sports hub, which I hope will not be just a hub but a community sporting facility for everyone in our area.
“I cant wait for it to be completed.”
Once opened the hub will be managed by the National Football Trust, a not-for-profit organisation, with all surplus income generated to be reinvested in outdoor sports facilities across Leeds.
Work is expected to take 12 months to complete. Full planning permission was first granted for the new facility three years ago.