THE old BMX humps at the playing field in Lyme Regis will be removed to make way for a dedicated new sports facility.
Lyme Regis Town Council will be installing a multi-use games area (MUGA) at Anning Road Playing Field in June, so preparatory works are taking place ahead of this.
The MUGA will be located on the northern side of the playing field, next to the play park, and the football pitch will be relocated southwards and maintained at the required size.
To accommodate the improvements, the BMX humps will be removed on Wednesday (2 April) and the area levelled and re-seeded.
A BMX track was opened at the playing field in 2007 but over the years it has not been maintained as a proper track and the skatepark has since opened at Charmouth Road car park, where BMXers can practice more safely.
The £150,000 project will bring much-needed sports facilities to the playing field, for use by both children and adults.
During widespread community consultation in summer 2022, one of the most popular suggestions was for a MUGA to be built in Lyme Regis.
The MUGA is primarily intended to be used for football, netball, basketball and pickleball, with ground markings and nets specifically for these games, but any sports can be played there.
The facility, which will accommodate a games area measuring 24 metres by 12 metres, will be free-to-use but will not be lit at night, to help avoid any anti-social behaviour.
Anning Road Playing Field is felt to be the best possible location for the MUGA, surrounded by other sports and play facilities.
To help prevent balls getting out, the facility will have three-metre fencing all the way around.
A new pathway will be created from the top gate to the entrance of the MUGA and while the contractors are on site, they will also replace the damaged pathway through the toddler play area.
Work on the MUGA is expected to start in early-June to avoid disrupting the youth football season and will take around six to eight weeks to complete.
Cllr Michaela Ellis, chairman of the Town Management and Highways Committee, said: “I am very excited that this project is finally getting underway, providing a dedicated space for sports in our town.
“There may initially be a few disappointed children when the BMX humps are removed, but this will be more than made up for with the opening of the fantastic new games area.
“One of the council’s main priorities is to invest in facilities that will benefit our residents, and investment in sport and recreation is essential in supporting a healthy and active community.
“The MUGA complements the outdoor gym area, which we opened in November in the seafront gardens, and provides even more opportunities for residents and visitors to come together and exercise for free in the outdoors.
“I look forward to seeing local residents making the most of this great new facility."