WORK has begun on installing six £617,000 new artificial football pitches at the Colcot Sports Centre in Barry.

The all-weather facilities are aimed at encouraging people to take part in sport in the Vale.

Vale council cabinet member for visible and leisure services, Cllr Gwyn John, leader Cllr Neil Moore and deputy leader Cllr Lis Burnett visited the centre this week.

Cllr John said: “The key to getting more people active and involved in sport at all levels is having high quality facilities that are open to everyone.

“When we laid the new playing surface at Jenner Park we said it was the first stage of our plan to get more people playing sport in the Vale. This is phase two. These pitches will enable residents of all ages to play five and seven-a-side football in all weathers and at all times of the year.

“As well as opening the pitches up to local schools we hope to work with Legacy Leisure to establish a new five-a-side league for the Vale.

This should ensure that players of all ages and abilities benefit from the Council’s substantial investment.”

There will be four five-a-side pitches and two seven-a-side pitches, which can be used to provide four additional five-a-side pitches for children.

The pitches use high quality 3G artificial surfaces like those used at commercial five-a-side centres throughout the country.

The pitches will be floodlit and fully enclosed.

An innovative fencing system acts as rebound boards while also allowing spectators full vision.

Cllr Moore said: “This is another substantial investment into local leisure services by the Vale of Glamorgan Council. I expect these new pitches to be very popular and to add another first class leisure facility to the long list of those that are already available in Barry. I cannot wait to see them being used and enjoyed when they open to the public later this year.”

Construction of the new pitches is due to be completed in early summer.