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29th September 2006 New sports facility planned for The Regent's Park An exciting new sports facility planned for Regent's Park will see a range of team sports being played on all-weather synthetic turf pitches by local people. The £2.1m facility will be built and run by Goals Soccer Centres who operate a national network of 21 five-a-side football centres. The new facility will be located on the former Holford House site and will allow The Royal Parks to increase the range of sporting activities it offers across the Park. When open, the new centre will mark the completion of the final phase of The Royal Parks' Sports Master Plan which has already included the reinstatement of the Regent's Park sports pitches and the development of the popular Hub sports pavilion. As part of the development, the nearby running track opposite the Holford House site will be upgraded and extended to a standard 400m length. Provision for additional sports will be provided following local consultation. Under a special arrangement with Goals, The Royal Parks have preferential access to the new pitches for over 50% of the available time (mostly during mornings and afternoons) for use with community groups, youth sports groups and local schools, some of whom do not have their own sports pitches. During this time, The Royal Parks will have full control over pricing so that the pitches will be offered at preferential rates to these groups to use regularly. Commenting on the proposed facility, Mark Camley, Chief Executive of the Royal Parks said: "The Royal Parks have to consider the diverse needs of the wider community and balance the services and facilities it offers accordingly. This new development is part of our commitment to offer high quality sporting facilities available to all, including local schools and disadvantaged and minority groups. In offering new sports to young people, many of whom do not have access to facilities, it will deliver other benefits such as helping to tackle childhood obesity and curbing social exclusion." Recent Football Association studies have shown that more people now play "small-sided" football than 11-a-side football and that there is a need for facilities of this type. While the new Goals facility will be centred on five-a-side football, other sports will be provided according to public demand. To help shape the final mix of sports on offer, The Royal Parks is hosting a public consultation exhibition at the nearby Hub sports pavilion featuring information boards, visuals and a model of the proposed development, together with a sample of the synthetic all-weather grass. Members of the public will be encouraged to choose which additional sports they would like to see run at the facility from a list including kwik cricket, touch rugby and mini hockey. The exhibition runs from September 29 until October 22 and feedback forms will be available. Feedback on the scheme can also be given by e-mail to haveyoursay@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk. Those unable to visit the exhibition can still have their say by visiting The Royal Parks website at www.royalparks.org.uk. Media contact: Bruce Sparrow Tel: 07970 660132, E-mail: bsparrow@royalparks.gsi.gov.uk Editor's notes: 1. The new goals facility is yet to receive planning permission and is scheduled to open in Spring 2008. Subject to planning consent, the opening times are likely to be 09.00 to 22.30 and the facility will feature ten all-weather synthetic pitches. 2. 2. The Hub Sports Pavilion is located inside the northern periphery of the Outer Circle. It is a multi-use community sports pavilion and cafe open from 09.00 to 20.00 seven days a week. The consultation exhibition runs from 29 September until 22 October during these times. back to top |
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