Pitch plan to boost sporting chances
ASTRATEGY that aims to ‘improve sporting offer in a way that remains sustainable’ has been given the thumbs-up by council chiefs in Rochdale.
The ‘Playing Pitch Strategy 2016-2026’ came before a meeting of the cabinet on Tuesday last week and assesses current and future demand for formal sports pitches over the 10-year period, developed through consultation with Sport England.
Its three main aims are to protect the supply of sports facilities, enhance outdoor sports facilities and provide new sports facilities.
Over 300 pitches have been reviewed and assessed and the report identified shortfalls in the provision of junior football, the capacity of adult and mini football pitches and cricket provision.
Rugby union, rugby league, hockey pitches, lacrosse pitches and rounders pitches were all found to be being played to capacity.
The report proposes a ‘sports hub’ in each township area – at Heywood Sports Village, Bowlee Playing Fields in Middleton, Littleborough Sports Centre (Pennines) and Firgrove (Rochdale).
The strategy recommends that the council protect all existing pitches and ancillary facilities; secure tenure and access to sites for high quality, development-minded clubs; maximise community use of outdoor sports facilities; improve pitch quality; adopt a tiered approach for the management and improvement of sites; work in partnership with stakeholders to secure funding; rectify shortfalls in pitch stock and identify opportunities to add to the overall pitch stock.
In a foreword to the strategy report, Councillor Neil Emmott, cabinet member for housing and environment, said: “We want to improve our sporting offer but are mindful that we have to do this in a way that remains sustainable for the long term.
“As a champion of the strategy it is of great importance to me that we ensure that clubs, teams and participation is sustained and that through the invaluable role sports clubs and teams play we can encourage greater numbers of our residents to become active and benefit from team participation.
“Our ambition is to ensure those who want to participate in sports can easily access them fairly and in an affordable way.”