Report
of a Meeting of the Voelcker Field Working Party
held on 27 November 2007
Present: Craig Curtis (WUJFC), Tom Doyle (WPC), Ralph Miller (WTC)
Area to be developed
The working party will plan the development of the derelict land next to the
existing Voelcker Field pitches. The JFC, working with WPC may later seek outside
funding for the improvement of the existing pitches, and of the main pitch.
The land between the tennis courts and Voelcker Field, which includes a hedge might also be developed as part of this project. In particular it might provide an area for any building thought necessary. Building is prohibited on the Voelcker Field.
Possible Projects
After some discussion we agreed that any development should offer a new facility;
it should be able to be used all year round; I should benefit more than one
group and it should enhance what we already have. Care must be taken not to
duplicate facilities for the public that already exist, or are being planned
at Uplands.
Our initial suggestion is an artificial all-weather pitch, which could be used for football, hockey and basketball, tennis and other sports. Any such pitch should be fenced (not least to avoid mud being trampled in from the field), and some sort of shelter might be needed.
Consultation
We recommend that the Parish Council consult interested residents (parents
of small children, members of sports clubs, young people) as to what they need
or would like. All suggestions should be considered.
Funding
Potential lottery, Sports Council, Football and Tennis related grants were
briefly reviewed. We agreed that it is easier to approach such organisations
when we have a better idea of what we want. There will also be costs involved
in preparing grant applications (professional advice and plans, planning permission);
it is likely that the PC will need to meet some or all of these.
Plan
1 Before next meeting:
Consultation (TD)
Investigate projects undertaken by other small councils (TD)
Speak to grants teams at WDC (TD), investigate football- and tennis-related
grants (CC, RM)
Investigate artificial pitches: their cost, whether they could support several
different activities and the types of surface available (RM, TA, CC)
2 Work out
capital and maintenance costs for likely projects
3 Discuss at RGMC and make recommendations to PC
4 Produce detailed professional plan
5 Planning permission
6 Grant applications.
Next Meeting
January 2008