To discuss in detail the progress made on the proposals outlined in ‘A Community Vision for Rushey Park’ presented at the Community Meeting held on 7th April 2009. Since this meeting officers of the City Council have had an opportunity to look more closely at the scope of the vision document and to discuss the proposals with elected members Information will be reported back to this meeting.
Minutes:
Paul Edwards, Head of Sport Services attended the meeting and outlined sports services offered in the area.
Paul stated that sports activities in the Rushey Mead area were centred around the Cossington Street Sports Centre. This Centre offered a 33m swimming pool and sports centre. Free swimming was available to the 16’s and under and this had proved to be a great success.
Soar Valley Netball Centre had now been completed with the assistance of a New Opportunities Fund Grant. The City Council were trying to develop a range of specialist sports facilities across the City and the Netball Centre was part of this strategy.
Shaun Miles, Sports Development Officer outlined work that was being undertaken on the Football Investment Project at Rushey Fields, whereby 6-block changing facilities and offices were to be erected at Rushey Fields. The building would comprise a Club Room, 5 pitches were to be provided – (2 mini soccer, 2 adult and 1 junior).
At Cossington Street Ball Court the mini ATP had been refurbished with a new surface and new fencing and would also include structured coaching. The Local Management Group would be identifying local issues, particularly around misuse, and would then address these issues.
A member of the public stated that there was only one such local facility and the officers stated that there were only four across the whole of the City as there was only sufficient funding for four.
Paul stated that, as part of the Building Schools for the Future Programme, a number of 4 court Sports Halls were planned across the City. What was required however was the development of specialist facilities so that people wanting to develop their particular sporting skills could do so. Examples of such facilities locally were the Netball Centre at Soar Valley College and the Basketball Centre at Rushey Mead School, that were available not just for term time use and the school, but also were available for use by the public.
A member of the public stated that cricket facilities were required for those who had left school. Paul responded by stating that the City Council were looking to develop a specialist centre for cricket at Crown Hills, although there was a need to get a structure together and obtain adequate funding.
A member of the public stated that children were unable to use facilities at Rushey Fields after school hours and were playing on the street,. And also questione what consultations had taken place. Paul stated that as soon as Development Workers and Development Plans could be put in place then the facilities available could be fully utilised.
Jerry Connolly read the following note prepared by Ian Johnson, Soar Valley College: -
“SVC has always had a great reputation for interacting with the local community in respect of the hiring out of facilities for sport, community learning, social and religious events and for working with various groups to maximise the quality and value of these experiences. The ‘old’ building was extremely popular for all of these activities but we are now, thanks to BSF and other capital investments, able to offer more options in brand new facilities.
In respect of sports activities SVC can currently offer: -
All Weather Sports Pitch
This is used by local football clubs (all age groups) for weeknight training, Hockey Clubs for training and weekend matches and has previously been used by athletics clubs for winter training. The facility is also offered to local primary schools for extended school projects and sports tournaments.
Indoor Netball Centre
Recently completed with funding from England Netball, SVC, LCC and Leicester Netball League. This facility is state of the art that would be widely used to develop netball across the city (and county), both in the evenings and at weekends.
External Netball Courts
SVC is the centre for Netball in Leicester and the facilities have been enhanced through the BSF programme by new floodlighting, fencing and re-laid courts.
Cricket
SVC has always had a very close relationship with local cricket teams-once the old building is demolished, a specific area is being developed in front of the school for cricket (this will not, unfortunately, be available until 2011 at the earliest).
New Four Court Sports Hall
Built as psrt of the new building, this new gym provides a flexible area for evening hire – we currently have bookings from football teams, basketball teams, trampoline club, badminton clubs, cricket club (junior) and table tennis club.
SVC now had a purpose built
Dance/Aerobic studio – already been booked for oriental dancing and karate classes
Main Hall/Dining Area
Popular venue for social functions, especially Asian wedding celebrations. The facilities can be booked for Friday or Saturday evening functions. The hall is also used for other sundry hires such as Tumble Tots and Theatre Groups.
Religious Groups/Celebrations
SVC hosts many events for the local community; some weekly classes/prayer meetings and several major events. We were the home of the Ram Katha 3 years ago and we are the venue for local Navratri and Diwali celebrations.
Adult Education
SVC is a venue for Adult Education classes and a variety of subjects can be booked through the ‘Life Long Learning’ team at the school.
The school management and Governors are continually striving to offer great facilities at very competitive prices to the local community - this was a very high priority when the ‘vision’ for the new school was developed some 5 years ago and we hope that we have delivered.”
Sarah Sperry – Integrated Services Manager
Sarah outlined the work she was undertaking with 13-19 year olds and the work to develop an Integrated Service Hub in the area. Sarah stated that she was currently based at Woodbridge Children’s Centre but visited sites where there was a demand.
Gwenda Brown – Area Manager, Children and Young Peoples Services
Gwenda stated that she was also based at Woodbridge Children’s Centre and worked with 0-12 year olds in the area. The Integrated Service Hub (ISH) was new to this area, although they were already developed elsewhere in the City, and training was well underway.
A member of the public stated that they were impressed with what was being done in the area around young people, and of how effective the provision seemed to be. This view was generally supported.
RESOLVED:
that the information be noted.