A new 3G pitch for Tranmere Rovers will be supported with up to £375,000 from Wirral Council.
The investment was approved at last night’s policy and resources committee and is limited to £375,000, just under half of the pitch's cost, with the football club footing the rest of the bill.
Shaer Halewood, the council’s director of resources, said that in 2016 a report showed Wirral had a shortfall of artificial pitches.
Ms Halewood suggested that Tranmere's plan will provide good value for money, as it will be available for community use for 61 hours each week in term-time, compared to just 15 hours for international use and 10 hours for club/academy use.
In non-term time there will be 43 hours for community use and 43 hours for international use.
The director added that the pitch, which will be located at Solar Campus on Leasowe Road in Wallasey, will provide outdoor exercise for players in Wirral, something which benefits their physical and mental health.
She also confirmed that Tranmere will pay for the pitch’s maintenance and upkeep costs.
The 3G pitch was given planning permission by Wirral Council after a meeting of the planning committee on September 8 last year.
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Cllr Jeff Green, leader of the Conservatives on Wirral Council, said it could be asked why is the council doing this, is it not the club’s responsibility?
But after looking at the item in detail, Cllr Green concluded that it was a good use of money given the ability for players in the borough to use the pitch.
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He said he thought it would be an excellent facility, adding that he wanted to thank Tranmere Rovers for its work supporting many projects in the community.
Wirral Council’s leader, Labour councillor Janette Williamson, agreed, saying the club had done great work around issues of domestic violence in the borough.
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