Families will be able to enjoy two brand-new facilities at Bude Park playing fields this summer following the completion of two major projects.
A state-of-the-art PlayZone has opened alongside a new changing pavilion and playing pitches at Bude Park.
The PlayZone, a safe, inclusive and accessible outdoor facility, features an enclosed, floodlit 20x30m 3G pitch with markings for both football and netball.
The new pavilion includes modern changing rooms for mixed teams, as well as referee facilities, toilets, showers and a kitchen accessible from the playing field side for the serving of hot drinks and snacks.
The new facilities will mean a much-improved experience for anyone now using the popular Bude Park playing fields.
New drainage has been installed on the playing pitches which will help alleviate flooding and increase pitch availability during the season.
Bude Park’s car park has also been enlarged, meaning improved access, including motorcycle bays and cycle stands.
Hull City Council invested £3m from its capital programme into the playing pitches and pavilion scheme and the work was delivered in partnership with Hull Esteem.
The facilities were officially opened by Cllr Charles Quinn, the council’s portfolio holder for parks, alongside Graham Turner and Rachel Kemp of the Football Foundation.
The Football Foundation was the primary funders for the PlayZone and partial funders of the new playing pitches.
The PlayZone was also supported by a grant from the council’s Crime Prevention Fund.
Cllr Quinn said: “Bude Park is a popular facility and will no doubt become more popular still thanks to these fantastic new facilities.
“The council has strived hard, together with Hull Esteem and with grateful support from the Football Foundation, to ensure the playing fields’ usability and long-term future and create an exciting and fun environment for all the family.
“The council is delighted that both the PlayZone and playing pitches are now open for residents to enjoy.”
The PlayZone is now available to book for public leisure use here, whilst the council will work in partnership with organisations and community groups such as Tigers Trust and Child Dynamix to deliver sessions on the facility.
Robert Sullivan, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said: “I hope this fantastic PlayZone will be a great source of pride for the local community around Bude Park who helped shape and deliver the project, without whom it simply wouldn’t exist.
“Thanks to the funding we receive from our partners – the Premier League, The FA and Government – the Football Foundation will be delivering over 200 PlayZones like this one across the country.”
The PlayZone and playing pitches add to the range of provision already at Bude Park, including a splash pad and playing area, which has recently benefitted from new equipment.
Bude Park is home to Kingswood United FC, a thriving grassroots football club which runs men’s, women’s and junior teams.
To celebrate the official opening, Kingswood United is planning to host West Carr Sports Festival during the summer holidays, with final plans to be announced on the club’s social media.
To find out more about the Football Foundation PlayZones programme, visit their website: https://footballfoundation.org.uk/playzones-programme