Plans to build one of two new multi-million pound sporting hubs in Newcastle have been lodged - and this is how it could look.
Newcastle City Council has submitted an application to replace the existing sports facilities at Blakelaw recreation ground with the 'state-of-the-art' Blakelaw Parklife Hub.
As well as replacing the football pitches, the plans include a skate park, outdoor cycle track and children's play area.
The new sports pavilion will have a fitness suite, cafe, changing rooms, studio space and an extension to the existing car park.
As for the football facilities themselves, the plans are for an artificial 3G pitch, two 5 v 5 football pens, floodlighting and fencing.
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The site will be one of two centres created in Newcastle under the Parklife Hub initiative. The other one will be in Bullocksteads, in Kingston Park.
The ambitious scheme, which will cost between £9m and £11m, will be 60% funded by contributions from the Government, the Premier League, and the FA.
Parklife is a five-year commitment to building multi-pitch hubs across towns and cities in England with the aim of raising playing standards and opportunities, and already has centres operating in Sheffield and Liverpool.
Planning documents from the council say, "The new Blakelaw Parklife Hub will provide state of the art facilities for the benefit of the local population which will encourage physical activity across a spectrum of ages with a particular focus on youngsters."
The recreation ground currently houses a community football pavilion which was built in the 1970s, a full size artificial football pitch and five natural grass pitches.
If the plans go ahead, the existing grass pitches will stay where they are, with new artificial pitches and pavilion constructed.
The plans say: "Entrance to the new building is from the west elevation and is articulated with a stair tower which provides a focal point. The hub has been designed with service spaces at ground floor to provide changing facilities for the football users for both the artificial pitches and refurbished grass pitches.
"A new community space is provided to the right hand side of the entrance which can be leased out to various user groups during given periods of the day.
"At first floor level a new fitness suite to provide 35 stations has been designed with a studio space for regular class activities. Ancillary service accommodation in the form of changing rooms and toilets are provided to service the users of the fitness suite. A large meeting room is provided at first floor level.
"The children’s play area is to be placed to the south of the Parklife Hub with views from the community space.
"A new cycle training track will also be placed to the south of the new building with the skate park relocated.
"The new pavilion and children's play area will be bounded by a 2.4m high weld mesh security fence with the artificial grass pitches, multi use game area and 5 v 5 pitches enclosed with a 4.5m security fence.
"Given the close proximity of the WW2 Denton Bunker installation it is proposed to retain the majority of footpaths across Blakelaw Park as they contain several totems which support the interactive display informing visitors of the WW2 heritage."
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