GROUND has finally been broken at the site of a new football hub and 3G pitch in Latchford, this week.

The new pitch will be installed at Cardinal Newman Catholic High School, on Bridgewater Avenue, and has been in the works for a number of years.

This is an investment of more than £1.2 million.

Warrington Guardian: Cardinal Newman has been without adequate facilities for some timeCardinal Newman has been without adequate facilities for some time (Image: Newsquest)

Cardinal Newman high school has been devoid of a suitable outdoor pitch for a number of years, and this represents a fresh beginning for sports at the school.

Headteacher, Jo Langstaff, said: "We have a proud sporting tradition at Cardinal Newman, but we have been without a 3G pitch for a very long time.

"We are really grateful for the support of Warrington Borough Council and the Football Foundation in helping us to realise our ambition of having the excellent sporting facilities which our students and our local community deserve.

"The students can’t wait for the pitch to open."

Warrington Guardian: The 3G pitch was in dire need of repairThe 3G pitch was in dire need of repair (Image: Newsquest)

Due to a lack of suitable pitch, the school has been unable to host its own 'home' sporting fixtures - but this will now change.

The pitch will be reserved for pupil use during weekdays until 5pm, and will be available for community use from then until 10pm.

It will also be available at weekends, between 9am and 8pm.

Warrington Borough Council’s cabinet member for children’s services, Cllr Sarah Hall said: “The start of work on the new football facility at Cardinal Newman High School is great news for the area.

"It will bring huge benefits to students and residents of all ages and abilities and create a first-class sporting facility which the whole community can be proud of.

"I’m delighted work is under way.”

Work is expected to be completed in February next year.

Speaking to the Warrington Guardian about the project in July, Ms Langstaff said: "It was actually quite disheartening to see our students 'make do' with inadequate facilities for so long.

"When [the new pitch] was approved, I was delighted; this school has fantastic kids and excellent staff, and the current pitch at the front of the school doesn't reflect who we are.

"Having this brand new facility at the front of the school sums up that we work incredibly hard for our students."