A new multi-million-pound football hub, constructed by LST, has officially opened in Cosham, Portsmouth.

Located at the King George V Football pitches, the facility replaces an unused building with an impressive new pavilion for football players and spectators. Designed with two, single-storey wings, the building comprises changing rooms, a café, kitchen, office space, showers and toilets.

Externally, LST has delivered extensive landscaping works bringing new all-weather pitches to the site as well as new trees and shrubs.

Appointed by Portsmouth City Council, LST completed the design-and-build project within 10 months. Prioritising sustainability, the building has a BREEAM 'Very Good' rating, which is being achieved through a variety of measures, including solar panels on the roof and an air source heat pump.

Leon Gardner, Contracts Manager at LST Projects, said: “This is a fantastic new facility providing an attractive and welcoming space for the local community plus multiple pitches in various sizes suitable for all age groups.

“Thanks to a collaborative approach, the project was delivered successfully and with minimal disruption. Throughout the works, we ensured some of the existing grass pitches remained open and helped to facilitate the annual music festival which uses the same site.”

Portsmouth City Council also partnered with the Football Foundation to develop the football hub after the city was identified as having a shortage of artificial grass pitches. Hampshire FA will now operate the facility to support the development of youth and adult football.