A new state-of-the art cricket centre has been opened in London, targeting the next generation of cricketers in England and Wales at grass roots level.

ISG's Agility team delivered the Urban Cricket Centre at Leyton County Ground, which is the first of its kind in the UK. They worked in collaboration with Waltham Forest Council.

An under-utilised sports hall on the site of the former home of Essex County Cricket Club was transformed to make way for the new £1.7 million facility.

This forms part of England and Wales Cricket board's (ECB) six-point plan to secure the long-term future of the sport in England and Wales. The organisation has adopted a three-point plan to comprehensively upgrade the core indoor cricket facilities, ahead of a planned roll out to create 20 new Urban Cricket Centres as part of the ECB's 2020-2024 'Inspiring Generations' strategy.

Ex-England cricketer Graham Gooch helped launch the first phase of the scheme on Wednesday 26 June, a day after England faced Australia at the IIC Cricket World Cup. It was delivered in just six months, with subsequent phases to begin later in the year.

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Designed by gcp Chartered Architects, which developed the Urban Cricket concept for the ECB, the refurbishment had an extra special focus on upgrading the flooring, lighting and netting - all delivered to the exacting standard defined by the ECB.

The team installed versatile, sports-specific flooring, designed to increase performance and withstand high levels of activity, the first ECB-approved LED lighting system to provide a safe playing environment and extensive, reconfigurable netting to create defined cricket practice lanes and a match play arena.

ISG also installed replacement windows, doors and a new platform lift giving access to a viewing balcony.

The Urban Cricket Centre will boast the very latest automated cricket technology, including a bowling machine and digital motion analysis to help players improve their performance.

An additional phase of the project sees the refurbishment of the adjacent George Mitchell Arts Centre to create a new entrance and reception, clubroom, training facilities and offices, with completion expected in early autumn.

Lee Phillips, managing director of ISG's Agility business, added: "This project has delivered high-quality sporting facilities, but beyond the tangible elements, we've worked with our partners to create a space that allows people to thrive - where an entire community can build strong relationships and make a positive difference to each other's lives.

"As the Cricket World Cup is gaining momentum, this new concept is the launchpad for a string of planned urban centres of excellence across England and Wales and we are delighted to play a role in securing the future for our national sport."

(CM/JG)