Located on a playing field on the site of the St Helens Borough Council-run Sutton Leisure Centre, the new pitch will sit next to the existing astroturf, available for local sports teams and leisure centre visitors to hire.

The £803,728 investment – more than £677,000 of which has been covered by grant funding ​from the Football Foundation – will also include perimeter fencing, portable goal storage, and a floodlight system with conditions in place for local residents.

Welcoming the development, St Helens Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Culture and Heritage, Councillor Anthony Burns, said: “As a council we’re committed to promoting a healthy and active lifestyle so I’m delighted to hear work on this project has started.

“Numerous lockdowns and restrictions have meant participation in activities like football – which have positive effects on both physical and mental health – have had to be stopped for large parts of the past year.   

“However, with the vaccination rollout continuing, hopefully it won’t be too long before we can go back to enjoying the things we enjoy the most.   

“For many, that will be having a kick about with their friends and they will be able to do so on top-quality pitches like this one at Sutton Leisure Centre once it’s completed.”   

The addition of a new 3G football pitch will further strengthen the centre’s leisure offer which already comprises of an eight-court double sports hall; two squash courts; full size grass football pitch; and a 400m running track.

Our Labour council is also committed to bringing the onsite swimming pool back into use, with work still ongoing behind the scenes to achieve this.  

Construction of the 3G football pitch is expected to take around four months to complete.