Kingston Council has promised to improve the borough’s 156 sports pitches by 2019, following the adoption of a “Playing Pitch Strategy”.
The project is part of a nationwide scheme launched in 2013 by Sport England, which aims to improve local sports facilities and encourage sports participation.
Kingston Council’s official objectives are to protect current sites from redevelopment, improve the quality of playing surfaces and increase pitch numbers to avoid overcrowding.
In a September 25 statement councillor Andrea Craig said: “We have an absolute responsibility to promote healthy, active lifestyles. Putting in place clear plans on how we continue to develop our green spaces for sports is key to creating a happy, healthy borough.”
A council report on the strategy reveals that of the borough’s 117 football pitches, only 19 are rated as good quality.
Rugby, cricket, and artificial hockey pitches are also included in the scheme. Currently only one of the 17 rugby union pitches is rated as good, whilst three were considered poor.
According to the report, changing facilities and the frequency of pitch maintenance will also be improved.
