Exeter College’s new world-class, community accessible 3G pitch has been officially opened.

Community sports clubs, together with civic and community leaders, gathered to celebrate the official opening by Exeter College and Exeter City Council of the new pitch at the college’s Exwick Sports Hub, in Exwick.

The all-weather surface is already being used by a host of local community groups and clubs at the grassroots for a range of sports and wellbeing activities.

The Lord Mayor officially cut the ribbon to declare the facility open at a launch event on Tuesday, March 20, 2018.

Exeter College is working together in partnership with Exeter City Community Trust to facilitate the use of the pitch by the local community, ensuring that users get an efficient service when booking to use the facility.

John Laramy, Principal and Chief Executive, said: “I am delighted that we have officially opened our brand new sports facility to support students at the college, sports teams and the local community.

“For me, this is about three words – community, excellence and partnership. I hope this will be the first of a number of investments in this area that together will turn the Exwick area into a real hub for sport and physical exercise.

“I am confident that with the support of partners, we can deliver something of regional significance for sport in this part of Exeter.”

Cllr Phil Bialyk, Exeter City Council’s Lead Councillor for Health and Wellbeing, Communities and Sport, said: “This is a wonderful new facility that is available for everyone to use. Exeter is already the most physically active city in the south west and it is with the help of superb community facilities like this that we can go one step further, get more people playing sport and become the most physically active city in the country.”

Ray Lloyd, Chair, Exwick Sports Hub Advisory Board said: “This is a perfect example to any other organisation of how, by working together, so much can be achieved for the organisation and the community. I am extremely grateful to Exeter College and Exeter City Council for their foresight and support.”

The opening of the new pitch comes at an exciting time for sport in Exeter. The city’s professional sports teams are thriving and health and physical activity have never been higher on the agenda.

Exeter College is delighted to play our part in this and work in partnership with the City Council, Active Devon and local sports organisations to ensure that Greater Exeter realises its ambitions to become the healthiest city in the country.