Newly opened sporting facilities in Swindon might not be able to compete with London’s Olympic Park, overall.

But the grounds of the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park around the  Olympic Stadium, Copper Box and velodrome in East London don’t have a croquet lawn.

The Moredon Sporting Hub, now officially opened in the heart of Swindon, has six.

The new hub, which has been constructed on the site of Moredon recreation fields, just off Cheney Manor Industrial Estate road, features all-weather and grass football pitches, cricket pitches, a new off-road cycling track, a BMX pump track, a road layout, compete with min-roundabout (very important in Swindon) to help youngsters practice cycling on roads, and six croquet lawns, an increase on the previous provision.

The Local Democracy Reporter was allowed a sneak preview at the facilities starting with the new pavilion and changing rooms.

It features a new open-plan kitchen facility, a large foyer and a big function room, with offices = as the hub will also now be the headquarters of Central Swindon North Parish Council, which has helped fund me, and will operate the facility.

Further back, the walls are the traditional white-painted breeze blocks.

There are four changing rooms, arranged in two pairs. Each features a main room with benches and hooks, lavatories and a small communal shower and individual shower cubicles.

They are configured so they can be assigned to teams of men or women without having to be altered.

Directly outside the pavilion’s main doors are a small compound with road markings, including a zebra crossing and a mini-roundabout echoing the Magid Roundabout, to allow children to practice riding on roads, and a BMX track.

Just to the left is a 1km long road cycling circuit, configured in such a way that it can be used by three groups at once, all riding a different route.

Mark Adams and  Ruth Miller were the British Cycling officials who helped to get funding for the course.

Mr Adams, no longer at British Cycling, said: ”We were contacted by people here in Swindon saying there was a need for a regional traffic-free facility, and we looked at a lot of places, but this was the best one.

“It’s great to have it here in a big town like Swindon, and one of the best things about it is that it’s an interesting circuit to ride, so I think people will come from all over to use it.”

As well as grass cricket and football pitches there is a full-size 3G all-weather artificial pitch meaning matches can go ahead whatever the weather or conditions.

Parking is plentiful.

The cabinet member for Planning and Placemaking Councillor Marina Strinkovsky emphasised the facilities’ accessibility.

She said: “It’s good to be opening something and not closing things. I hope it’s a sign of things to come.

What’s vitally important is the inclusivity and accessibility of the facilities here. It’s vital that everyone, whatever their abilities can come and enjoy being active and getting the vital benefits of activity.

Everyone at the opening event was thrilled that Moredon continues to offer a place where Swindonians can play and learn croquet.

The chairman of Swindon Croquet Club said: “It was difficult for the club, and some members, during the work when we had to park some way away.

“We are looking to grow the club and being here so that people who come for the football, or cricket or cycling might see the club and give it a go could really help us.”

Details of facilities and bookings at centralswindonnorth-pc.gov.uk/moredon-sporting-hub/