Games court now open in Morton

The Sport England Olympic Legacy-funded games court is now open for public use, providing an attractive area for basketball, 5-a-side football and tennis.

The facility will also be used by Morton Trentside Primary School and by the newly-established Morton Tennis Club.

Parish councillor and Morton Playing Field Association chairman Matthew Gleadell said it was fantastic to see people using the new facility.

“This is a fabulous addition to the village’s facilities for people of all ages to use and enjoy,” he said.

The completion of the new games court came just a day after Morton Playing Field Association, who are working in partnership with the parish council, received news of securing a further £35,000 grant from Biffa Award.

Those funds are going to pay to have the Playing Fields in Morton laser levelled and the grass re-seeded, as well as the creation of a new youth meeting shelter.

The parish council is also waiting to hear if they have been successful in securing a further grant application for £50,000 for a new children’s play area on Morton Playing Fields as part of the wider project.

A decision by the funder for this grant is expected to be announced in August this year.

Despite the fantastic work and development taking place at Morton Playing Field, the parish council has been forced to install some CCTV to protect the site in an effort to combat various incidents of vandalism and theft.

Coun Gleadell said it was really great to see how the development project for the village was finally starting to come together since the council’s vision two years ago.

“The project really feels like it is starting to take shape,” he said.

“The council first envisaged this project in February 2010 and after two years of planning, consultation and preparing detailed funding bids, it is great to finally start to see local people benefit from all the work that has been put in.”

Anyone that would like further information about the project, or who is interested in joining Morton Tennis Club should contact Coun Matthew Gleadell by emailing [email protected] or on 07961 051079.