Lyme Regis has marked a significant milestone in its community development with the official unveiling of a state-of-the-art multi-use games area, representing a substantial local investment in recreational facilities for residents of all ages. This modern sports amenity is poised to become a central hub for physical activity and social engagement within the town.
The ambitious project, which saw the Lyme Regis Town Council allocate over £100,000, involved the comprehensive construction of the multi-use games area (MUGA) on the northern side of Anning Road Playing Field. Beyond the core playing surface, the development also encompassed the creation of a new, accessible pathway leading from the playing field gate directly to the MUGA entrance, alongside essential work to move and level the main playing pitch, ensuring optimal conditions for various sports.
The grand opening ceremony drew a diverse crowd, underscoring the widespread anticipation for this new community asset. Attendees included esteemed council staff and members, enthusiastic representatives from prominent local sports groups such as Lyme Regis Pickleball Club and Lyme Regis Youth Football, and numerous local families eager to experience the new facility first-hand. This collective presence highlighted the strong communal spirit behind the project.
Councillor Michaela Ellis, who chairs the Town Management and Highways Committee, proudly officiated the opening. She reflected on the extensive effort and dedication invested by the council to bring this vision to fruition. Cllr Ellis expressed optimism that the significant £100,000-plus expenditure would translate into a heavily utilized resource, providing lasting benefits for the town’s athletic pursuits and broader well-being.
Designed for maximum versatility, the new facility is meticulously marked and equipped with nets to accommodate a wide array of ball sports, including football, basketball, netball, and the rapidly growing sport of pickleball. Its flexible design ensures that it can serve as a dynamic venue for virtually any ball-based activity, thereby enhancing the town’s existing sports amenities and fostering diverse participation.
The unveiling has been met with particular enthusiasm from youth sports advocates. Mark Duerden, chairman of Lyme Regis Youth Football, underscored the facility’s immense potential to benefit the entire town, especially its younger population. He noted the palpable excitement among children for enhanced basketball provisions, particularly highlighting the popular single-rim hoops, signaling a significant boost for local youth engagement in sports.
Further reinforcing the facility’s broad appeal, Graham Smith of Lyme Regis Pickleball Club expressed considerable delight. He emphasized the critical need for an outdoor, all-weather surface for the club, given pickleball’s status as the UK’s fastest-growing sport. This new space provides an invaluable dedicated area, enabling consistent play and further nurturing the sport’s expansion within the community, thus enriching recreational facilities for residents.
Ultimately, this substantial investment by Lyme Regis Town Council in the multi-use games area represents a pivotal moment in the town’s ongoing Lyme Regis development. By providing modern, accessible community sports infrastructure, the council is not only promoting physical health and active lifestyles but also strengthening community bonds and offering vital sports amenities that will serve generations to come, truly embodying a commitment to local progress and youth engagement.
