BUDDING sports stars can now take advantage of a brand new all-weather pitch at Howe Bridge Leisure Centre.

Wigan Council has invested more than £380,000 into having the 3G FIFA 2 star pitch installed at the centre.

The project is being carried out as part of the £2.9 million transformation of the site in conjunction with Wigan Council's The Deal.

Cllr Paul Kenny, the council’s Cabinet Member for Leisure, said: “I am delighted to see this pitch opened for the benefit of local sports teams, as providing quality sports facilities is one of the key ways we can support local people in keeping fit and developing their talents.

"This is just part of a much bigger project at Howe Bridge and I look forward to seeing the modernisation of the leisure centre starting to come to fruition over the coming months.”

The pitch is being managed by Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust (WLCT) which secured £500,000 from the National Lottery’s Sport England Improvement Fund.

Pete Burt, Managing Director of WLCT, said: “We’re really proud to be managing not just the pitch but the whole leisure centre site at this exciting time.

"I’d encourage local people to make use of the fantastic new facilities that are taking shape on their doorstep.”

Tony Hogan, Club President at Howe Bridge Mills Football Club, said: “We’ll be playing all our home games and training every week on the new 3G pitch, which will be a great benefit in developing skills and fitness for all our players; as well as for all other local clubs in the community who will also benefit from this fantastic facility.”

A new health and fitness suite is being developed on the first floor which will include an 80-station gym, sauna and steam room, a spinning studio, a studio for group fitness and new changing rooms.

There will be also innovative leisure products on site including adventure climbing, Indoor Extreme Skate Park and adventure play facilities.

The reception area will be opened up and an enhanced catering and vending offer introduced. The scheme is due to be completed by November this year.

For more information about booking the new pitch, please contact s.grundy@wlct.org / l.morris@wlct.org or call 01942 870 403.