Why park's new turf is just pitch-perfect

From the archive, first published Monday 16th Apr 2007.

A POPULAR all-weatherpitch in Basildon's Gloucester Park has reopened following a £300,000 revamp.

The pitch was closed for four months while a new frost-resistant surface, better floodlights and fencing were installed.

Anthony Hedley, Basildon Council's cabinet member for leisure and open spaces, said the old playing surface, put down 15 years ago, had become too dangerous to play on.

He said: "The base underneath was giving way and there were cracks big enough to fit your ankle into.

"If a hockey ball had hit one of them, it could have shot up and hit someone in the face.

"They had to stop playing hockey on there a couple of years ago and it had got to the stage where even playing football was dangerous.

"The technology for all-weather pitches has moved on a lot.

"The new surface is really fast, which is ideal for hockey, and much harder-wearing."

Mr Hedley hopes the revamped all-weather pitch will form a key part of a future Basildon sports village.

The council plans to build an Olympic-sized pool and 12 netball hardcourts close by.

The new facilities will be situated next to the existing athletics track, where £85,000 was spent last year replacing the triple and long jump pits.

Mr Hedley said: "It could be something really special for the whole of the town.

"We are hoping to get Amateur Athletics Association accreditation for the track, which would in theory allow us to host international events.

"We hope the whole sports village will be used in some way for the 2012 Olympics."

Astroturf pitch bookings can be made by calling 01268 294910.