Work due to start on new sand filled synthetic pitch

(Date of issue: Friday, 10 October 2008)

Plans to install a new synthetic pitch at The Sheepmount Stadium in Carlisle have taken another step forward following a £24,500 grant from Sport England.

Work will now start on the new facility next Tuesday (14 October) and is planned to be completed by mid-February next year. It will be built on one of the upper plateau grass pitches within The Sheepmount grounds.

The need for a floodlit synthetic pitch in the Carlisle area was identified in a Sports Facility Feasibility Study commissioned by Carlisle City Council. To reflect this need, the City Council has also contributed £315,000 towards the development.

The pitch would be of a sand-based synthetic construction and would allow for a variety of sports to be played on the site. In addition to hosting hockey and football, the pitch could also be used for disability sports in the city. Cllr Ray Bloxham, Portfolio holder for Environment and Infrastructure, said:

"The redevelopment work at The Sheepmount has resulted in the athletics and football stadium becoming one of the region’s premier sports facilities. The synthetic pitch plans will help it develop into a multi-sports venue providing an extensive range of facilities."

The work on the synthetic pitch will be project managed by Carlisle City Council’s Facilities section and will be undertaken by SIS (UK) Ltd. Disruption will be kept to a minimum.