Community and sports facilities across Harborough are to be upgraded over the next 10 years

Community and sports facilities across Harborough are to be upgraded and improved over the next 10 years after a massive study has been carried out across the entire district.

The new Built Sports Facilities Strategy has been agreed by Harborough council.

The ambitious initiative is to be put into action after widespread consultation with parish councils, village hall committees, clubs, site owners, community groups, cross-boundary partners and others.

“It aims to provide more opportunities for people across the district to enjoy sports and leisure, in the best facilities, as demand and population grows over the coming decade.

“It also supports one of the council’s key priorities to promote healthy lifestyles,” said Harborough council.

The blueprint will provide evidence for communities, clubs and the council to boost ‘built sports facilities’ and unlock funding opportunities, including developer contributions (Section 106 agreements).

Cllr Phil King, who leads Harborough District Council, said: “It’s important to say this isn’t just about what the council can deliver.

“It’s about how we can work in partnership to maximize opportunities for new and improved community facilities.

“This strategy is for the entire community and will ensure a proactive, consistent, and evidence-based approach to supporting community facilities across the district.

“I’d like to thank all those people in the district who have helped shape it.”

Sports halls, swimming pools, health and fitness, athletics, squash, dedicated gymnastics centres, indoor bowls, indoor tennis, netball, and table tennis are at the heart of the far-reaching strategy.

Archery, cycling and walking routes, air sports and other countryside sports, such as gliding, equestrian facilities, and sailing clubs are also featured.

The strategy will be reviewed every three to five years.

It’s supported by Sport England, National Governing Bodies and others.

And it will feed into the council’s Physical Activity Strategy, Local Plan and complement other plans and proposals.

Cllr Phil Knowles, the leader of the council’s Liberal Democrats, said: ''We support this but I am very critical of opportunities missed.

“The report has fallen some way short of a district-wide strategy.

“It needed to evolve and be expanded and numerous errors in the report should be corrected without delay.''