Gosport residents now have free access to a variety of sports after a major upgrade of facilities in Privett Park this year.

Earlier this year Gosport Borough Council created new outdoor community pickleball courts and refurbished the adjoining tennis courts, and also replaced the park’s cricket nets.

During the summer a new all-weather 3G pitch and floodlights was installed in the Privett Park Enclosure, home of Gosport Borough Football Club. This major investment in new sports facilities, a joint project between Gosport Borough Council and Gosport Borough Football Club, will benefit men and women players of all ages. The council contributed £520,000 towards the costs using developer funding.

Now further upgrades to the park’s facilities have been carried out.

Two of the pavilions that needed refurbishment have been given a new lease of life. Damaged brickwork, windows and tiles have been fixed, and both buildings have been repainted in striking green and red colours.

New permanent 7-a-side football goals have been added so footballers of all ages can play all year round.

And new benches have been installed by the pickleball and tennis courts for spectators to watch people in action on the bright new courts.

The improvements to Privett Park are part of the council’s major upgrade of sports and leisure facilities across the borough, with more than £1m invested this year, including the use of developer contributions.

Gosport Borough Council Leader Cllr Peter Chegwyn said: “There is now a huge choice of community sporting facilities in Privett Park for everyone to use, from tennis, football, cricket and the increasingly popular game of pickleball.

“The new courts we built earlier this summer are already proving extremely popular with club players and people who want to come and have a go.

“Access to sports and leisure is so important for people’s health and wellbeing, so I’m delighted to see such a variety of projects completed.”

The tennis and pickleball courts are open every day from 9am to 5pm and free for people to turn up and play.