New £1.1m 3G pitch at school takes next step as contractors appointed

Work to install a new 3G football pitch at Clare Mount Specialist Sports College in Moreton has moved a step closer following the appointment of a specialist contractor. 

Wirral football clubs and the local community will benefit from use of the pitch throughout the year, while also enhancing the facilities at Clare Mount. 

The facility will help address the shortfall of artificial grass and grass football pitches in the borough. Demand is extremely high and the new pitch means more teams will be able to stay in Wirral to train and play rather than travel elsewhere. 

The total cost is estimated at around £1.1m. Wirral Council is contributing £350,000, with the remaining funding coming from a grant through the Football Foundation. 

The pitch, which will meet FIFA Quality and World Rugby standards, will be maintained and operated by Clare Mount. Bookings will be managed through an online system. 

The pitch will measure 97m x 61m (including 3m run-offs) and will be designed to accommodate a variety of youth football pitches and training areas. Professional floodlighting will be installed so teams can use the facility during winter months and in the evenings. 

Additional works will include: 

• Adaptation works to the existing male and female changing rooms in the school to convert four showers into two WCs and two individual changing areas, creating dedicated facilities for players and teams 

• Viewing areas and goal storage areas 

• High fencing around the perimeter of the facility, with 1.2m high pitch perimeter fencing around the artificial grass surface to segregate the playing area 

• Maintenance/sports equipment store located within the fenced enclosure 

• Tree and shrub planting around the site  

Work will be carried out by Saltex Oy after the company was selected by the Football Foundation. 

The project was approved by Wirral Council's Policy and Resources Committee last year.