A £60,000 improvement scheme to the town’s recreation ground is underway.
A range of improvements are being made to Bishop Auckland recreation ground, which has facilities including tennis courts, a bowling green, football pitch, play equipment and open space.
Local sports clubs which use the bowling and tennis facilities were consulted to help identify priorities for the improvement work.
As a result, security shutters on the pavilion doors and windows have already been installed in response to previous incidents of vandalism and break-ins.
Work to install an automatic water irrigation system for the bowling green, replace the green’s gutter boards and refurbish two of the four tennis courts will be carried out before the start of the tennis and bowling seasons this year.
The work has been funded by Durham County Council and local councillors Sam Zair and Neil Harrison through their neighbourhood budget and supported by Bishop Auckland and Shildon Area Action Partnership.
Cllr Maria Plews, Cabinet member for leisure, libraries and lifelong learning at Durham County Council, said, “These facilities are well-used by families and sports clubs in the Bishop Auckland area.
“The bowling green in particular dates back to 1912 and has a long-standing use by local people.
“The improvements will enable people to continue to enjoy these facilities in the heart of the town.”
Bishop Auckland recreation ground, which is also home to a Sunday League football team, covers 43,000 square metres of land.
Bishop Auckland's local community newspaper.
