The Northern Gateway Sports Park project in Colchester, Essex, is set to open to the public in the summer of 2020.

The multi-million pound, 76-acre site will provide both indoor and outdoor sports and leisure activities and will be owned by Colchester Borough Council.

Indoor facilities include a five-court sports hall, indoor cricket spaces and a health and fitness club with exercise studios and indoor cycling space.

Outdoors, there will be a one-mile floodlit cycling track,  two 3G synthetic football pitches, archery facilities, accessible cycling routes and a learn to ride and cyclo-cross track.

Construction is now underway by contractors R G Carter, with Colchester Amphora Trading managing the build of the development.

Once open, the facility will be operated by Leisure World Colchester, on behalf of the council.

The project has received a number of grants to fund its facilities, including a £100,000 cash injection from the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) towards the indoor cricket facility and a further £590,000 from Places to Ride – the capital grants fund delivered by British Cycling and Sport England – to deliver the cycle track.

Councillor Nick Barlow, Colchester Borough Council’s portfolio holder for commercial services, said: "Colchester Borough Council is investing in this innovative facility to enhance Colchester’s reputation for sport and leisure, promoting a healthy and active lifestyle for borough residents."