A project to transform six artificial training pitches at BH Live Active, Pelhams in North Bournemouth is set to kick off later this month. 

BH Live, the registered charity and social enterprise that operates the centre in partnership with BCP Council, is investing more than £200K to enhance the well-attended community facilities. 

The pitches are open year-round and popular with local clubs, football fans, and schools, who regularly visit Pelhams for training, pay and play, leagues and matches.  

As well as offering an opportunity for more people to improve their fitness by staying active, playing team sports such as football is great for socialising too. These improved facilities will create an improved playing experience for all and motivate more people to have a game with friends or join a team. 

The centre’s six outdoor five-a-side pitches will be resurfaced with the latest in 3G rubber crumb technology to replicate a traditional football pitch. Additionally, new kickboards, netting and fencing will be installed to improve the player’s experience. 

Work is set to begin on Monday 23 September 2024 and is anticipated to take up to six weeks to complete. It will be carried out in phases to minimise disruption and impact on play. 

Additionally, a more efficient booking process will be introduced from October to make the booking experience more user-friendly. Pay-as-you-go and block bookings can be made via the BH Live Active website and app.  

The project is being led by SIS (Surfaces In Sport), who have previously designed pitches for premier league matches. 

Rob Cunningham, Director of Leisure and Business Development, shared; 

“The football pitches at Pelhams are popular community sport facilities, used regularly by local clubs, visitors, teams, and schools. By investing regularly into facilities such as these, we hope to improve the experience of players visiting the centre, encouraging more people to have fun staying active.”  

For more information about BH Live Active, Pelhams, including opening times and facilities, visit bhliveactive.org.uk/pelhams on pop into centre to speak with a member of the team.