School playing fields in Knowsley are set to benefit from an investment of almost £11 million.
Councillors have tonight (Wednesday, 18 July) agreed an extensive programme of improvements, which will see schools right across the borough enjoy investment in their outdoor spaces.
Over the coming years, £10.825 million will be used to significantly enhance the quality of the playing spaces for children and young people in Knowsley. It means pupils in the borough can enjoy fantastic sporting, leisure and other outdoor learning and development opportunities.
Phase one of the programme will see more than £4m spent on projects at 19 schools this financial year, with another 34 schools benefitting in the second phase.
Cllr Margaret Harvey with Head Teacher Steven Hatton and Cllr Tony Brennan with Roby Park Primary pupils
Funding for the investment programme has been taken from the proceeds of the sale of former school playing fields across the borough, from schools which no longer exist, due to closure, merger or relocation. It is one of the investments which has been made possible because of the council’s Housing Land Disposal Programme, which will generate £21m over the next three years.
Cllr Tony Brennan, Knowsley Council’s Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Economic Development, said: “We’re delighted to be able to announce such an extensive programme of improvements and enhancements to school playing fields in Knowsley.
“This is a significant investment of almost £11m which has only been made possible thanks to this council prioritising the sale of brownfield sites for housing development – and it’s fantastic that, despite tough financial times, we are still able to fund improvements like these which will make a huge difference to thousands of young people in the borough.”
Roby Park Primary pupils celebrate the news of investment in their playing field
Plans for the work were drawn up after the council carried out a thorough survey of all school playing provision in the borough. This found that, whilst all Knowsley schools had sufficient playing field provision, in some cases they were unable to use their fields all year round. Drainage improvements, new play equipment, new hard standing play areas, landscaping and new fencing works being provided by this investment demonstrate the council’s continued commitment to the health and wellbeing of the borough’s children and young people all year round.
Cllr Margaret Harvey, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “Our schools want to ensure that they are offering pupils the very best opportunities to get involved in sport, leisure and outdoor learning – and this investment will make sure that happens.
“It is so important for children’s health and wellbeing that they are able to get outdoors and enjoy sport or exercise, so I’m delighted to see so many schools will benefit from this money.”
Roby Park Primary pupils celebrate the news of investment in their playing field
Among the schools to benefit in the first phase will be Roby Park Primary in Huyton, which will receive a total investment of more than £900,000 for new play equipment and hard surfaced play areas with improved landscaping, a land drainage system and new security fencing.
At All Saints Centre for Learning in Kirkby, a total of £576,000 has been allocated to install an artificial grass pitch to allow year-round activity.
Schools included in Phase One works:
Holy Family RC Primary, Cronton
Holy Family RC Primary, Halewood
Huyton with Roby Primary, Huyton
Knowsley Lane Academy, Huyton
Roby Park Primary, Huyton
St Aloysius RC Primary, Huyton
St Columba’s Primary, Huyton
St Joseph’s RC Primary, Huyton
All Saints Centre for Learning, Kirkby
Kirkby CE Primary, Kirkby
Northwood Primary, Kirkby
St Laurence’s RC Primary, Kirkby
St Marie’s Primary, Kirkby
St Michael and All Angels RC Primary, Kirkby
Knowsley Village Primary, Knowsley Village
St John Fisher RC Primary, Knowsley Village
Evelyn Community Primary, Prescot
Our Lady’s RC Primary, Prescot
St Margaret Mary’s RC Junior, Huyton
Schools to be included in future phases
Blacklow Brow Primary, Huyton
Cronton C of E Primary, Cronton
Eastcroft Park Primary, Kirkby
Halewood CE Primary, Halewood
Halsnead Community Primary, Whiston
Malvern Primary, Huyton
Millbrook Community Primary, Kirkby
Mosscroft Primary, Huyton
Park Brow Community Primary, Kirkby
Park View Primary, Huyton
Plantation Primary, Halewood
Prescot Primary, Prescot
Ravenscroft Community Primary, Kirkby
Saints Peter & Paul Catholic Primary, Kirkby
St Aidan’s Catholic Primary, Huyton
St Albert’s Catholic Primary, Stockbridge Village
St Andrew’s Catholic Primary, Halewood
St Anne’s Catholic Primary, Huyton
St Brigid’s Catholic Primary, Stockbridge Village
St Gabriel’s C of E Primary, Huyton
St Joseph The Worker Catholic Primary, Kirkby
St Leo’s & Southmead Catholic Primary, Whiston
St Luke’s Catholic Primary, Prescot
St Mark’s Catholic Primary, Halewood
St Mary & St Paul’s C of E Primary, Prescot
Sylvester Primary Academy, Huyton
Westvale Primary, Kirkby
Whiston Willis Primary, Whiston
Halewood Academy (off-site pitches), Halewood
Kirkby High School, Kirkby
Alt Bridge Secondary Support Centre, Huyton
Finch Woods Academy, Halewood
Knowsley Central Primary Support Centre, Huyton
Meadow Park School, Stockbridge Village