Centre’s match-day parking agreement
Bosses at Sunderland AFC and its neighbouring Aquatic Centre have struck an agreement over match-day parking.
As reported in the Echo earlier this month, visitors to the leisure centre were told they could not park in the Stadium of Light’s car park when fixtures are being played at the ground.
It came as the football club made efforts to ensure those who have paid to use a space could get access to their allocated place.
But the move, which saw stewards turn away customers in the lead up to matches, with a midnight to midnight rule enforced, left visitors to the centre in difficulty when it came to finding a space, with a residents’ permit scheme in place nearby.
Now, Everyone Active, which runs Sunderland City Council’s leisure centres has said discussions with the club have led to an agreement which will see spaces made available in the car park in the morning before a game.
A spokesman for Everyone Active said on behalf of both organisations: “SAFC has made 60 spaces available for Everyone Active members and customers to utilise in the blue car park area, situated to the left of the Davy Lamp roundabout at the entrance to the stadium park site.
“In addition, blue badge holders will be allowed access to the disabled parking spaces within the club’s green car park, next to the SAFC Ticket Office.
“Members will be required to show their Everyone Active card to SAFC parking stewards in order to access either the disabled bays or bays in the blue car park.
“On match days, Everyone Active members will be required to vacate these spaces three hours before the start of a match.
“Everyone Active members are advised to speak to the Aquatic Centre management team if they have any further queries.”