Alliance Leisure has been awarded funding of £13m to develop a new sports hub at Parsloes Park in Barking. The leisure development specialist was appointed through the UK Leisure Framework (UKLF) to design and build the facility.

Once operational, it will be run by charitable trust Leisure United.

The development will overhaul an existing building, the dilapidated Parsloes Park Sports Pavilion, to create a sports facility that will support 16 natural grass pitches, along with three full-size 3G artificial grass pitches that are already in place. Amenities include a gym, studio, changing facilities, F&B and meeting rooms.

“Once complete, this purpose-built sports facility will become an integral part of community life, creating a permanent home for May and Baker FC whilst also providing a first-class facility for a range of other sports clubs,” said Greg Walker, business development manager at Alliance Leisure.

The project is being funded by a £6.2m grant from the Football Foundation – a charity partnership from the Premier League, Football Association, DCMS and Sport England – as well as a £6.1m investment from Barking and Dagenham Council. There has also been additional financing from the London Marathon Charitable Trust and Greater London Authority.

“This initiative provides a much-needed facility and will be a real asset for our communities – from schools to sports clubs, and all our residents,” said Councillor Saima Ashraf, deputy leader and cabinet member for community leadership and engagement at Barking and Dagenham Council.