PUBLIC CONSULTATION on proposals to invest over £12.5 million in grassroots football in Leicester starts next week.
Drop-in sessions for members of the public to discuss the plans with representatives from Leicester City Council, Leicestershire and Rutland County Football Association and the National Football Association have been planned across the city during October.
The first session takes place at New Parks Leisure Centre on Wednesday 3rd October from 6pm to 8pm.
The investment proposals are for new football and ball court facilities at 10 sites around the city.
The council will fund half of the £455,000 design and development costs and the Football Foundation the rest. Another bid will be made to the foundation for half the money needed for the overall project.
Mark Laywood, sports project manager for the council said: “A recent local study identified that in Leicester fewer than one in 10 boys in the city play organised football. That’s half the national average. For girls only one in 250 takes part. It also highlighted the lack of good quality provision and pitches. This £12.5 million strategic investment plan aims to reverse this worrying trend”.
Cllr Andy Connelly, Cabinet lead for culture said: “This demonstrates our commitment to improve the grassroots provision of football across all areas of the city. The consultation stage is important to help us get the views of local people on these plans”.
Further drop-in sessions are planned for Leicester Leys Leisure Centre (11th), Cossington Street Sports Centre (13th), Spence Street Sports Centre (16th), Hamilton Library (18th), and Aylestone Leisure Centre (27th). Full details are available from the venues, or from Mark Laywood at Leicester City Council on 0116 252 6713. See Related Document on the right hand side of this page for more details