Tottington youngsters are on the ball

Date published: 03 July 2010

Young people in Tottington are well ahead of the game with a brand new Ball Zone on their doorstep.

The £78,000 ball zone is at St Ann’s playing field, near to Tottington High School, and has been funded by Bury Council’s parks and countryside service, Bury Youth Service and Pilsworth Environmental Company.

Along with another new ball zone in Elton, this brings the total number of ball zones for young people across the borough to 24 which allows a range of outdoor sports to be played all year round.

The Tottington ball zone has been made possible by St Anne’s Church in Tottington: as the landowners, they have agreed a long-term lease so that local people can benefit from this facility. The scheme also includes a small car park for the local football club next door, and it complements the recently refurbished play area at Town Meadow Park.

Councillor Dorothy Gunther, cabinet member for environment and transport, said: “We are delighted to open this new and fully accessible play facility which I am sure will prove to be a valuable asset to the community of Tottington. Not only does the ball zone provide a designated space where youngsters can safely play football, netball, basketball and cricket, it also increases the opportunity for children to lead a healthy and active lifestyle. I hope that the new ball zone will give many hours of fun to its users.”