Plans to give Woodside Playing Fields a makeover have moved a step closer as new images of an artist's impression of the regeneration were revealed.

Watford Borough Council says good progress is being made with planning and design work after the first phase of the regeneration was approved last year, with construction scheduled to start in early 2022.

The first phase focuses on creating the Woodside Community Sports Village, with a range of developments to improve the sports facilities on site, promoting an active lifestyle and encouraging greater use of the park by residents and visitors.

It will include a new community sports hub, providing modern up-to-date facilities for cricket, football and boxing catering for all ages and abilities.

The sports hub will include modern and accessible changing rooms for the clubs already based at the site, including Watford Town Cricket Club, the football clubs and Watford Amateur Boxing Club, as well spaces for shared community use.

Watford Observer: An artist's impression of the Community Sports Village (photo Watford Borough Council) An artist's impression of the Community Sports Village (photo Watford Borough Council)

Watford Observer: How the community sports village could look (photo Watford Borough Council)How the community sports village could look (photo Watford Borough Council)

Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor said: “We have many first class leisure facilities in Watford and these are well used by local residents.

“One of my key manifesto commitments was to help bring a brand new family friendly facility to Woodside Playing Fields. These plans are ambitious and will give Watford residents even more state-of-the-art facilities. I can’t wait to see these improvements take shape.”

A new toddler and junior play area will also be built, where children will be able discover the play trails, swing on the jungle swing , roll down the grassy mounds, zoom down the slides or enjoy being pushed on the swings.

There will also be equipment for children with disabilities.

Watford Observer: The new play area (photo Watford Borough Council)The new play area (photo Watford Borough Council)

Watford Observer: How the play area could look (photo Watford Borough Council)How the play area could look (photo Watford Borough Council)

The council will also be enhancing the existing sensory garden with a network of paths created to link the community areas and children’s play areas with the woodland of Albans Woods.

To complete the scene, seating and picnicking spots are sprinkled throughout the play space.

A community café will also be created to cater for cyclists, sportspeople, walkers and busy parents wanting to relax with a drink and enjoy a snack in the new park.

Watford Observer: How the new courtyard could look (photo Watford Borough Council)How the new courtyard could look (photo Watford Borough Council)

It will be set in the stable block with outside seating and socialising and event spaces.

The café will serve a selection of hot and cold food and drinks, to eat in or take away.

New public toilets, a ‘changing places’ facility and additional parking are also planned to cater for increased use of the site.