The official opening of Bradford’s newest recreation facility gave youngsters the opportunity to show off their football skills.

A range of activities were on offer at Myra Shay on Saturday to celebrate the £2.5 million facility and thank those who have taken part in the Regen 2000 drive in Barkerend.

Regional development agency Yorkshire Forward provided Regen 2000 with £28 million to spend in the area – sparking £120 million investment.

The event, which saw football tournaments, ball skills demonstrations, a climbing wall and a funfair, was also held to hand over the baton to its successor, the Regen 2000 Association Community Interest Company.

Councillor Jeanette Sund-erland, chairman of the Regen 2000 Board, said: “Regen 2000 was set up to rejuvenate an area of Bradford through sustainable projects that would continue to prosper after the programme.

“We’re all very proud of what has been done, but it doesn’t stop here, and the Regen 2000 Association Community Interest Company will continue to build on the good work.

“When you look back at all the things that have been achieved in BD3 its truly staggering and a huge amount of credit has to go to our board of community directors who gave up their own time to ensure its success.”

Myra Shay is one of the most visible developments of Regen 2000 and includes five football pitches, a cricket wicket, kabbadi court, children’s play area and changing rooms.

Nasim Qureshi, Regen 2000 senior regeneration manager, said: “Today is about celebrating the success of Regen 2000 because the programme is coming to an end.”

Mohammed Shakeel, vice-chairman of the Community Interest Company, said creating job opportunities will be looked at when they take over. He said: “Previously, this facility was shut down with fencing round it and there was no access to it.

“But it is a very good facility now, there is a lot of usage, particularly Asian women who walk round the footpaths.”

Although the facility has been open since 2006, the grass has needed time to bed in.

The project, developed in partnership with Bradford Council, has diverted 6,200 tonnes of biodegradable waste from landfill and through recycling has reused the compost on the site, helping to cut Bradford’s greenhouse gas emissions by 4,700 tonnes.

Councillor Anne Hawkes-worth, Bradford Council’s executive member for environment and culture, said: “Myra Shay has been transformed and is an excellent facility enjoyed by the local community and beyond.”