A NEWLY approved strategy to boost sports facilities in the district is key to getting more people active, Council bosses have said.

At a meeting of Bradford Council’s decision making Executive yesterday, members approved a new £15 million sports pitch plan.

The plans include a new multi million pound “sports village” in Wyke that will feature new sports pitches, a cycle track and new community building, as well as major refurbishments of Marley Playing Fields in Keighley and Myra Shay sports grounds off Barkerend Road.

The Wyke facility will be based on the former Wyke Manor School site.

£15 million plan to boost sports facilities across the Bradford District

Individual pitches and changing rooms across the district will be refurbished, but other underused pitches will be sold to help pay for the improvements.

At the Executive meeting Councillor Sarah Ferriby, Executive Member for Healthy People and Places, said: “This all contributes to the health and wellbeing agenda we are promoting on the Council, it will help with both physical and mental health of our residents.”

Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe pointed out that some of the funding was coming from outside bodies like Sport England. She added: “We want people to live longer, healthier lives, we all need to do more exercise, and this will help with this.”