Fear that sport facilities may be ‘too expensive’
COUNCILLOR SAYS RESIDENTS COULD BE ‘PRICED OUT’
FEARS have been expressed that residents could be priced out of some of Coventry’s new multi-million pound sports facilities.
Coventry’s new £36.7m water park on the former Spire House site is due to open in spring next year and was officially named as ‘The Wave’ last month.
As part of £100m investment, the city is also set to benefit from a 50 metre swimming pool at the Alan Higgs Centre, and a new Sport and Wellness Hub at the University of Warwick.
Other plans include the development of a new indoor bowls centre and the creation of 44 running and walking routes.
But St Michael’s councillor Catherine Miks (Lab, Lower Stoke) is keen to see grass-root sport and community clubs benefit, suggesting some residents could be priced-out of new facilities.
Speaking at a Communities and Neighbourhoods Scrutiny Board on September 19, she said: “My community knows nothing about this.
“We lost our youth provision and the only place we can go for sport is the Alan Higgs Centre where people are charged, so people in my ward are vulnerable.
“The Wave is fantastic but there will be a lot of people who can’t afford it.
“I would really appreciate to know what’s going to be done in the grass-roots.
“Coventry and North Warwickshire Cricket ground – are we going to put any more funding into those places? AT7 is looking a bit worse for wear.
“To have a legacy surely we need to be investing in what we have as well as ideas coming forward?”
The council is exploring launching a fund for community groups to run their own events.
David Nuttall, head of service for sports, culture and destination, added: “The key part of the legacy is about building on what we do in the community.
“We really want local sports clubs to utilise this year as well and use it to engage their communities.”