Facilities getting a makeover include Central Park in East Ham which is receiving a £1.9 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund for restoration of landscape garden features and refurbishment of the café and toilets. The former Beckton Lido site in Custom House is being restored to parkland with new entrances and work has started on the Sandal Street development in Stratford which will boast a children and young people's neighbourhood resource centre, a new floodlit multi-use games area, play area refurbishment and landscape improvements. A new changing pavilion, community meeting space and a floodlit games area are being built in Flanders Field in East Ham.
Work is under way to improve Newham Leisure Centre in Plaistow with new seven-a-side floodlit football pitches and an indoor athletics centre. Progress on the UK's first covered floodlit games area with jogging track in Stratford Park is on schedule for a summer opening and work at a new multi-use games area at Keir Hardie Recreation Ground in Canning Town is progressing well.
Recently completed projects include upgraded fitness equipment and redecoration improvement works in Newham's leisure centres.
The cultural investment is just one of many LIVE LIFE initiatives that the council has introduced to encourage the community to get involved in sport and physical activity.
Mayor of Newham, Sir Robin Wales, said: "I'm delighted to announce a phenomenal £15 million investment in Newham's leisure facilities and parks. I hope these projects will encourage all of Newham's residents to participate in sport and physical activity regardless of age or level of ability."
Executive member for culture, Councillor Jo Corbett, said: "This investment is part of the pre 2012 legacy that will benefit the whole community and make Newham a place where people choose to live, work and stay."
