Brand-New 2G Pitches at Kent Street

YMCA Humber Celebrates Major Milestone for East Marsh Community

YMCA Humber is delighted to announce the completion of two brand-new 2G sports pitches at the Kent Street Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA), marking a major milestone in the transformation of this important community space.

Thanks to the generous support of PlayZone and the Football Foundation, the project has delivered modern, energy‑efficient facilities designed to offer safe, inclusive sporting opportunities. PlayZone, an initiative funded by the Premier League, The FA and UK Government via Sport England, aims to tackle inequalities in activity access by supporting community‐led outdoor mini‑pitch projects.

These high-quality pitches are the centrepiece of YMCA Humber’s phased refurbishment plan designed to reinvigorate Kent Street as a vibrant, inclusive hub for sport, wellbeing and youth engagement in the East Marsh. 

The newly installed pitches feature synthetic 2G surfaces, upgraded fencing, energy-efficient floodlighting and secure gated access. These improvements create a modern, safe and accessible environment for football, futsal, hockey, netball and a wide range of community-led sports.

The 2G pitches are currently being used by YMCA Humber for its vital youth services, along with local community partners using the facilities. In the near future members of the public will be able to book the facility for public use.

An official opening event to celebrate the new pitches will be held on Friday 12th September from 3pm which will involve the local community.

“This is a huge step forward for Kent Street and for the East Marsh,” said Rob Baty, Head of Operations at YMCA Humber. “These new pitches give young people and the local community a safe place to play, belong, contribute and thrive. We are proud of what’s been achieved and excited for what comes next.”

Councillor Hayden Dawkins, Portfolio Holder for Culture, Heritage and the Visitor Economy, said: “This is wonderful news and we’re thrilled to have helped make it happen. The MUGA is now back in use and it’s a huge asset for the young people who live on the East Marsh.

“These facilities provide a wide range of health benefits and offer a great variety of different activities that everyone can get involved in. The Council are dedicated to making sure the people of North East Lincolnshire have spaces where they can be active and enjoy themselves.

“I would also like to give my thanks to the YMCA for all their hard work in making this a reality.”

A Community Resource Built Around Local Needs

The pitch upgrades are part of YMCA Humber’s larger vision for Kent Street as a multi-use community sports and recreation facility. This offer currently includes:

• A free-to-use community skate park, available daily for young people and families
• A free-access Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) pitch at the front of the site, ideal for casual use, kickabouts and basketball
• The YMCA Youth Hub, offering free activities, support, and mentoring for young people aged 8 to 19.

Kent Street is designed not only as a place to play sport, but as a space to foster connection, confidence and wellbeing.

“We know how important accessible sport and recreation is to our local community,” added Baty. “Whether it’s a young person discovering a new sport, or families simply enjoying time outdoors together, Kent Street now offers something for everyone.”

Next Steps: Youth Club Expansion and Open-Use Pitch Improvements

While the 2G pitches are now completed, YMCA Humber is progressing with the next phases of the project. Planning permission has been granted for the extension of the Youth Hub building, which will further enhance the site’s versatility with improved facilities. The Open-Use MUGA pitch will also be resurfaced in due course. Funding is actively being sought to bring this vision to life.

YMCA Humber invites the entire community to be part of this exciting journey and will continue working with local partners, funders, and residents to ensure the space truly reflects the needs and aspirations of the people it serves. 

For more information on how you can support the project please get in touch.