Residents in the Oak Tree area of Mansfield can now benefit from a new 4G football pitch that has been installed at the leisure centre.

Prior to the installation, the area was a low-usage concrete pitch, which had not been upgraded for more than 10 years.

The pitch is now open to the public and is already taking bookings for football sessions, most recently from Mansfield Town FC.

The project has been funded as part of the new leisure management contract between Mansfield District Council, More Leisure Community Trust, and Serco Leisure.

Mansfield Mayor Andy Abrahams, who helped to open the the new facility, said: “I am so pleased to see this area has been completely transformed and in its place is a brand-new, shiny facility that I’m sure will be used and enjoyed by many of our residents from Oak Tree and beyond.

“It’s now a 4G standard pitch, one of the best surfaces for people playing five-a-side football.

“As a participant in playing football all my life, I am especially excited about the opportunity for young girls and boys, and older players like me, to have a facility on their doorstep to either hone their skills or stay active.

“We are all aware of the benefits of exercise, both physically and mentally, so we want to encourage as much participation as possible.

“Previously, the concrete area here was in need of some TLC and the continuing deterioration meant there was no nearby facility of the high-quality required for residents, young people or football teams to enjoy. We are doing all we can to promote active and healthy lifestyles, so we’re thrilled our partners, Serco, have provided this new facility, and I look forward to seeing it being put to good use.”

The new 4G pitch is situated behind Oak Tree Leisure Centre and has newly-installed floodlighting and upgraded goals to make it a standard five-a-side size.

Jack Garner, contract manager for More Leisure Community Trust, said: “The addition of the new 4G pitch shows our, and the council’s, commitment to make leisure facilities in Mansfield industry-leading.

“We anticipate it will be used by many different groups in the community from toddlers through to walking football for the older population.

“As both More Leisure and Serco Leisure operate centres catering for elite sports in the UK, we’ve been able to draw on that expertise to deliver a superb playing surface, which can be enjoyed at grass-roots level of the sport.”

Free football sessions run by Mansfield Town FC will start in January for 10 to 13 year-olds, every Monday. The pitch can be booked via reception or email [email protected]

A new leisure centre five-a-side league will launch on 9th January for over-18s.

For more information and to enter the league, call reception on 0345 0000 231.