Plans for major boost in sports facilities to be considered

6.41.24pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 5th Sep 2007

A major proposal to transform sports facilities at Barn Elms will be considered by Richmond Council's Cabinet on Monday, 3 September.

Brand new changing and spectator facilities, a clubhouse and new pitch layouts are envisaged under the multi-million pound regeneration project. Additional adult and mini football pitches would be included in the plans as well as improved car parking, cricket pavilions and enhanced pitch drainage. Under the scheme, improvements would be funded by selling a limited part of the site, which is designated for indoor sports use, to a developer of a health and fitness centre. The improved public facilities would continue to be operated and maintained by the Council. The proposals were drawn up following extensive consultation with major users of the site in the Barn Elms Consultation Group. This includes a range of sports clubs representing many hundreds of users of all ages, the Barnes Community Association, the Wildlife and Wetland Trust, ward councillors and members of the public. Analysis of all site bookings in the previous two years was also undertaken.

Cllr John Coombs, Cabinet Member for Youth, Culture and Leisure on Richmond Council, said: "If approved by Cabinet, the regeneration project would bring tremendous improvements to public sports facilities at Barn Elms. The Council has been exploring opportunities to enhance the site for 15 years but after extensive consultation, we feel the current proposal, if agreed, will bring maximum benefits to site users and the local community. It would also provide a massive boost to sports provision in the borough. Selling a limited part of the site to fund the project would ensure the Council's costs are kept to a minimum while Barn Elms would also get a first-class health and fitness centre."